Israel Oluyemi
Former presidential candidate Peter Obi has appealed for peace ahead of Osun State governorship election, urging all stakeholders to protect a free, fair, and peaceful vote.
“Let peace reign in Osun State,” Obi said in a statement addressed to Nigerians, political actors, security agencies, INEC, and the international community.
The appeal comes ahead of the August 15 poll pitting incumbent Governor Ademola Adeleke against 13 other candidates.
“Osun belongs to its people,” Obi said. He added that democracy “is about whether the people are truly allowed to choose.”
Obi appealed directly to residents of the state not to let politicians “turn your neighbours, friends, and communities against each other.”
He extended the same warning to outsiders, urging politicians, supporters, and financiers to avoid importing “violence, intimidation, or desperation” into the contest.
Results of the election are expected between August 16 and 17. Obi called on security agencies to remain loyal “to Nigeria and the Constitution, not to any political party.”
He insisted that INEC must protect the process “from the preparatory stages to accreditation, voting, collation, and declaration.”
Obi also appealed to foreign observers to monitor the election closely, saying their “vigilance, and principled observation can bolster confidence” in the process.
Obi closed with a call for a peaceful outcome, saying “power can change hands through ballots rather than blood.”
