Stakeholders, media professionals, and the local populace have been urged to prioritize harmony surrounding the August 15 governorship election in Osun State. The call emphasized that the democratic process should not be marred by civil unrest.
This appeal surfaced on Monday during a meeting between the KDI-backed Peace and Mediation Working Committee and the Osun State NUJ leadership in Osogbo. Representing the committee chairman, Reverend John Adeleke—the state’s CAN leader—noted that Osun currently holds the national spotlight, necessitating a unified commitment to stability.
Reverend Adeleke challenged journalists to utilize their media presence to advocate for calm. He reminded political figures that elections are not a battlefield, urging them to act with moral integrity. Furthermore, he advised parents to shield their children from being used as tools for political violence, while encouraging religious leaders to spread messages of reconciliation.
In his response, Osun NUJ Chairman Comrade Adeyemi Aboderin pledged the organization’s support for fair and objective reporting. Acknowledging that past elections in the region have been marred by fatalities, Aboderin reaffirmed the media’s duty to act as a stabilizing force and commended the committee’s proactive efforts. He expressed optimism that stakeholders would adhere to the peace accord to make the Osun election a benchmark for the entire nation.
