Osun poll: Group plans peace summit, invites INEC, candidates

The Osun Development Association will convene the Independent National Electoral Commission, security agencies, governorship candidates, political parties and other key stakeholders next week for a summit aimed at promoting peaceful, credible and issue-based campaigns ahead of the August governorship election.

In a statement made available to The PidomNigeria on Monday, the association disclosed that the one-day Osun 2026 Democratic Governance, Peace and Electoral Integrity Summit is scheduled for Thursday, July 16, at the Aurora Event Centre in Osogbo, under the theme, “Speak, Choose, Hold Accountable: Citizens at the Centre of Osun’s Democracy.”

Organised by ODA’s Leadership and Governance Committee, the summit is intended to address growing concerns over political violence, destruction of campaign materials and increasing tension in the state before the election.

Chairman of the LEAD-GOV Committee, Dr Tunji Olugbodi, said Osun was approaching a defining moment in its democratic journey and required collective action to safeguard the integrity of the electoral process.

“Osun State is at a critical democratic crossroads. We believe our state can, and must, set a national benchmark for peaceful, credible and development-driven elections.

“This summit moves citizens from the periphery to the very centre of the democratic process, demanding institutional accountability from all political actors,” he said.

According to the organisers, the summit would bring together INEC officials, heads of security agencies, governorship candidates, registered political parties, traditional rulers, religious leaders, civil society organisations, professional associations, youth and women groups, as well as members of the media.

A major highlight of the event will be the presentation and signing of the Osun 2026 Peace Charter, through which governorship candidates and political parties will publicly commit themselves to peaceful conduct, non-violence and issue-based electioneering throughout the campaign period.

Participants will also unveil a Governance Accountability Charter, a document containing citizens’ expectations for the next administration, alongside a summit communiqué outlining recommendations for sustaining peace before and after the election.

ODA said the commitments made at the summit would not end with the signing ceremony, disclosing that it would partner with the Transition Monitoring Group to monitor compliance with the agreements reached after the election.

The association said the monitoring framework would assess adherence to the Peace Charter and Governance Accountability Charter during the three months following the governorship poll.

Chairman of ODA, Dr Segun Aina, said the involvement of religious leaders, traditional institutions, civil society and the media would strengthen public confidence in the electoral process.

According to him, their participation would provide the moral authority and independent oversight needed to preserve peace and deepen democratic accountability in the state.

The association urged journalists, civil society organisations and invited corporate delegates to complete accreditation with the LEAD-GOV Committee Secretariat before July 10 to facilitate participation in the summit.

The Osun Development Association is a non-partisan organisation that promotes good governance, democratic development and socio-economic advancement in Osun State through civic engagement by indigenes at home and in the diaspora.