A major political controversy erupted on Thursday after the governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Asiwaju Muniru Oyebamiji, failed to appear at the National Peace Accord signing ahead of the August 15 Osun governorship election, leaving his running mate, Benjamin Adereti, to represent the party.
The development has ignited intense debate across Osun's political landscape, with many questioning why the APC standard bearer was absent from one of the most important pre-election engagements aimed at preventing violence and promoting peaceful, credible polls.
In stark contrast, Governor Ademola Adeleke attended the ceremony in person and signed the Peace Accord alongside other political stakeholders, reaffirming his commitment to peaceful, free and fair elections.
The event, organised by the National Peace Committee, was attended by prominent national figures, including former Chief of Army Staff, General Martin Luther Agwai (Rtd), Bishop Matthew Kukah and Cardinal John Onaiyekan, as well as security chiefs, civil society organisations and electoral stakeholders.
Addressing the gathering, Governor Adeleke issued what is arguably his strongest warning on the security situation in the State, alleging that Ọsun state is facing an "impending police-induced genocide" if urgent intervention was not made.
The Governor accused the Osun State Police Command of partisan conduct, alleging a coordinated campaign of intimidation, arrests and violence against Accord members. He claimed that several party supporters had been killed, many others injured, while dozens of leaders had been arrested and transferred outside Osun State.
Appealing directly to the National Peace Committee, the Inspector General of Police and President Bọlá Ahmed Tinubu, Governor Adeleke called for immediate intervention to guarantee impartial policing and protect democracy ahead of August 15 governorship election.
"Our request is for impartial policing, a fair and just electoral commission and the supremacy of the people's votes," the governor declared.
The APC candidate's absence from the Peace Accord signing has since become one of the biggest talking points of the day, with political observers noting the symbolism of a sitting governor personally attending and signing the accord while his major challenger stayed away.
As Osun prepares for what promises to be one of its most closely watched governorship elections, the contrasting decisions by the two leading candidates are expected to remain a major issue in the final stretch of the campaign.
With the stakes higher than ever , many believe the events at the Peace Accord meeting have presented voters with two different approaches to the call for peace ahead of election day.
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