Osun Poll: Ooni Urges Peace, INEC Seeks Credible Election
The Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) have called on political stakeholders and residents of Osun State to reject electoral violence and ensure a peaceful governorship election scheduled for August 15. The appeal came during a courtesy visit by the Osun State Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Mrs. Oluwatoyin Babalola, and members of her management team to the Ooni's palace in Ile-Ife as part of INEC's stakeholder engagement ahead of the poll. Babalola commended the monarch for his continued efforts in promoting peace and stability, describing traditional rulers as critical partners in ensuring credible elections. She urged eligible voters to collect and use their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs), warning against vote-buying and emphasizing that elections should remain a peaceful democratic process. She also reaffirmed INEC's commitment to conducting a free, fair and transparent election that reflects the will of the people through sustained voter education and engagement with women, youths, persons with disabilities and other groups. Responding, the Ooni pledged the full support of the traditional institution in promoting peaceful coexistence and discouraging political violence. He urged youths not to allow themselves to be used as agents of unrest and called on INEC to remain impartial, transparent and professional in discharging its constitutional responsibilities. Meanwhile, the Chairman of Civil Society Matters for the IMOLE Campaign Council, Hon. Funmiso Babarinde, commended INEC's early preparations for the election, including the identification of 385 flashpoints and more than 200 difficult terrains. He, however, urged the commission to improve transparency by disclosing affected areas where security permits, saying this would help stakeholders strengthen voter education, logistics and conflict prevention efforts. Political endorsements also continued ahead of the election. The Ogiyan of Ejigboland, Oba Omowonunola Oyeyode Oyesosin, publicly endorsed Governor Ademola Adeleke's re-election bid, citing the administration's infrastructure projects and development initiatives in Ejigbo. The monarch expressed confidence that residents would support the governor at the polls.
Similarly, a coalition of Concerned Muslim Stakeholders and the League of Alfas in Osun State endorsed the governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Munirudeen Oyebamiji. The group said its decision followed an assessment of the candidates' track records and political viability, while also calling on all political actors to shun violence and conduct issue-based campaigns ahead of the election. With campaigns gathering momentum, stakeholders have continued to emphasise that peaceful participation, credible electoral conduct and respect for democratic principles will be crucial to the success of the August 15 governorship election in Osun State.
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