Political actors, journalists and residents have been called upon to embrace peace before, during and after the August 15 governorship election, stressing that violence must not define the democratic process.
The appeal was made on Monday during a visit by a delegation of the Peace and Mediation Working Committee established by Kimpact Development Initiative (KDI) to the Osun State Council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) Press Centre in Osogbo.
Speaking on behalf of the chairman of the committee, the Orangun of Oke-Ila, Oba Adedokun Abolarin, the Chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) in Osun State, Reverend John Adeleke, said the state remained one of those attracting significant national attention ahead of the election and therefore required collective efforts to maintain peace.
He said, “Osun happens to be one of the states receiving serious attention when it comes to elections. We need peace before, during and after the election.”
The CAN chairman urged journalists to use their various platforms to promote peaceful coexistence, noting that the media remained influential in shaping public opinion.
“People listen to your platforms, and we plead with journalists to intensify the peace message through their platforms for peaceful elections,” he said.
Addressing political leaders, Rev. Adeleke called on them to fear God and avoid actions capable of inciting violence.
Quoting biblical teachings on peace, he said elections should never be treated as warfare because political contests would end while the people would continue living together in Osun State.
He warned that hate
