Osun Development Association (ODA), a non-partisan and development-focused organization, has raised concerns about the current tension and anxiety in the state with regards to political activities preceding the governorship election which is planned to hold in the State in July 2022.
Gatekeepers News reports that ODA, in a statement made available by its Publicity Secretary, Adewale Adeniyi, said the association is troubled that the evolving situation is creating a major breach of peace and order in the State.
“…the full dividends of democracy can only be enjoyed in an atmosphere of law and order,” ODA noted while urging Political parties to strengthen their internal structures to ensure that their processes of choosing party flag bearers and the election of the State Governor do not create problems for other law-abiding citizens.
ODA condemns “in the strongest terms unnecessary political brigandage that could make intra party and interparty misunderstanding snowball into full bloody crises.”
The Association offers its platform for conflict resolution which we have deployed to successive State administrations since the Association was founded in 1995 and calls on all people of goodwill within and outside Osun State to broker peace for sustainable development. We urge all Stakeholders involved to exercise great restraint in their utterances and conduct to prevent further escalation of a breach of peace.
“The windows of reconciliation must be kept open to keep our State peaceful.” the association stressed.
ODA further welcomes the recent peace pact signed by representatives of the major political parties facilitated by the Osun State police command, saying “through this instrument the representatives of the parties committed themselves to eschew violence from the electioneering process we urge all party members and their followers to live up to the letters and the spirit of these peace agreements.”
