The build-up to the August 15 Osun State governorship election assumed a fresh political dimension on Thursday as the governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Bola Oyebamiji, failed to appear at the high-profile signing of the National Peace Accord, raising concerns over the commitment of political actors to a violence-free electoral process.

Although candidates of virtually all the other participating political parties personally attended the ceremony organised by the National Peace Committee in Osogbo, the APC standard bearer was conspicuously absent, leaving the party without representation during the symbolic signing until its deputy governorship candidate, Aderemi Adereti, arrived only minutes after the exercise had ended.

The development immediately became a major talking point among political stakeholders, election observers and civil society groups present at the event, particularly as the Peace Committee and the Independent National Electoral Commission repeatedly stressed that all contestants must publicly commit themselves to peaceful campaigns and acceptance of credible election outcomes.

The absence of the APC candidate came against the backdrop of heightened political tension, allegations of violence, and growing concerns over security ahead of the governorship poll.

Present at the ceremony were Governor Ademola Adeleke of the Accord Party, Action Alliance (AA), African Action Congress (AAC), African Democratic Congress (ADC), Action Democratic Party (ADP), All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), Allied Peoples Movement (APM), Action Peoples Party (APP), Boot Party (BP), New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), Peoples Redemption Party (PRP), Young Progressives Party (YPP), and Zenith Labour Party (ZLP).

Delivering his address, the Chairman of INEC, Joash Amupitan declared that the Peace Accord was far more than a ceremonial event, warning that elections could be compromised long before voting day if political leaders encouraged violence, intimidation or electoral manipulation.

According to him, the signing represented a solemn commitment before Nigerians and the international community.

“This is not a mere administrative ceremony or photo opportunity; it is a moral treaty signed before the citizens of this state and the global community,” Amupitan declared.

He added, “It is not the signatures written today that preserve democracy; it is the character of the leaders who hold the pen. If campaigns are characterised by incitement, private armed squads, or subversion, the process is compromised long before the first ballot is cast.”

The INEC chairman urged all political actors to embrace issue-based campaigns and warned that security agencies and the electoral commission would not tolerate attempts to undermine the integrity of the election.

The ceremony, however, took another dramatic turn when Governor Ademola Adeleke alleged that worsening insecurity in the state had almost forced him to boycott the event.

Addressing members of the National Peace Committee, security agencies and political leaders, the governor accused forces loyal to his predecessor and current Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Gboyega Oyetola, of allegedly sponsoring violence across the state.

“I should have boycotted this peace meeting because of the violence unleashed on Osun State in the last few months, on the directive of Gboyega Oyetola. However, my presence is due to my very deep respect for our peace leaders here present,” Adeleke said.

His remarks underscored the deep political rivalry between the ruling PDP administration and the opposition APC as campaigns intensify ahead of the election.

Speaking on behalf of the National Peace Committee, Cardinal John Onaiyekan reminded political parties that the accord must not be treated as a mere ceremonial exercise.

“This signing of accord is not just a formality, a ritual. It is supposed to mean something serious, that we take this matter seriously,” the cleric said.

He appealed to candidates, party leaders and their supporters to reject violence, inflammatory rhetoric and electoral misconduct capable of threatening peace before, during and after the election.

The National Peace Committee delegation at the event included retired Gen. Martins Agwai, representing the Committee’s Chairman, former Head of State Gen. Abdulsalami Abubakar; Bishop Matthew Hassan Kukah of the Catholic Diocese of Sokoto; Cardinal John Onaiyekan; Attah Barkindo; INEC Chairman, Joash Amupitan (SAN); and Assistant Inspector-General of Police Olabode Fasuba, representing the Inspector-General of Police.

Political observers noted that the APC candidate’s absence may generate fresh debate in the coming days, particularly as the Peace Accord has traditionally served as a public commitment by candidates to conduct peaceful campaigns, eschew violence and respect the outcome of credible elections.

With barely two weeks to the governorship election, attention is now shifting from campaign rhetoric to the willingness of political actors to match their public declarations with actions capable of guaranteeing a peaceful, credible and transparent poll in Osun State.