Osun Govt Warns Against Fresh Post-Election Violence, Calls for Reconciliation
The Osun State Government has warned individuals and groups against actions capable of disrupting public peace, urging political actors and other stakeholders to embrace reconciliation and peace-building following the recently concluded governorship election.
The government made the call in a statement issued on Sunday by the Commissioner for Information and Public Enlightenment, Oluomo Kolapo Alimi, amid concerns over reported tensions and disruptions in some parts of the state after the election.
Alimi acknowledged the casualties recorded during the pre-election period, while urging residents and stakeholders to support efforts aimed at healing the wounds of the electoral period and preventing a return to conflict.
“We urge residents to support efforts aimed at healing and preventing a return to conflict,” the statement said.
The government expressed concern over reports of immediate post-election disruptions in some parts of the state, stressing the need for residents to allow peaceful coexistence and normalcy to return.
It urged all sectors of society to embrace rule-based interactions and work collectively towards restoring stability and strengthening peaceful coexistence across the state.
The government also raised concerns over reports of alleged plans by some stakeholders to trigger fresh crises in local government councils and motor parks across the state.
“This plan, if true, should stop immediately in the interest of public peace,” the statement warned.
It added, “Osun needs peace for development, not violence in politics. We call on political actors and other stakeholders to avoid actions that could heighten tensions.”
The government maintained that the governorship election had been concluded, urging political actors to accept the outcome and pursue any grievances through lawful and constitutional channels.
“The Osun election has been won and lost,” the government declared.
It further disclosed that President Bola Tinubu and Governor Ademola Adeleke had engaged on finding a peaceful way forward, stressing that any attempt to promote violence would undermine the efforts to maintain peace and constitute an affront to the Presidency and the Nigerian Constitution.
The state government also called on security agencies to enforce the rule of law while ensuring that all actions taken in the aftermath of the election remained within the bounds of legality and fairness.
It urged relevant authorities to address concerns over political detainees and alleged partisan policing involving local government and motor park management, saying such issues should be handled in accordance with the law.
The government appealed to all political actors to moderate their statements and actions, particularly at a time when the state needs stability to focus on governance and development.
“We call on all political actors to speak and act peacefully. We urge residents and stakeholders to ensure that Osun remained focused on healing and rebuilding rather than returning to the violence witnessed before the election,” the statement added.
The government said the state’s post-election period should be defined by reconciliation, unity and development rather than renewed political confrontation, urging all stakeholders to place the peace and progress of Osun above partisan interests.