National Peace Committee Intensifies Consultations With Stakeholders Ahead of Osun Governorship Election Peace Accord Signing

The National Peace Committee, through its Secretariat, The Kukah Centre, has ramped up stakeholder engagements across Osun State as part of preparations for the formal signing of the Peace Accord for the 2026 Osun State Governorship Election, scheduled for 30 July 2026.

The bilateral stakeholder engagement and socialisation meetings, which are supported by the European Union through the EU Support to Democratic Governance in Nigeria, are designed to deepen understanding of the Peace Accord, build trust among political actors, and strengthen institutional collaboration for a peaceful, credible, and violence-free electoral process.

The engagements come at a critical time, as the 15 August 2026 governorship election is widely regarded as one of Nigeria’s most strategically significant off-cycle polls, serving as a major indicator for the 2027 General Elections and taking place against a backdrop of intense political competition, shifting alliances, and the implementation of the Electoral Act 2026 for the first time in an off-cycle governorship election.

Speaking during the engagement, the NPC Project Manager, Barr. Asabe Ndahi, emphasised that the Peace Accord represents a shared commitment by political actors and stakeholders to place peace above partisan interests and to uphold democratic values throughout the electoral process.

She stated that beyond preparing stakeholders for the signing ceremony, the consultations provide a vital platform for discussing emerging electoral risks, strengthening institutional coordination, and encouraging collective action to prevent violence before, during, and after the election.

Ndahi noted that the committee’s Political and Security Context Analysis had identified organised political violence, institutional tensions, electoral offences, voter inducement, misinformation, and declining public confidence as critical risks requiring sustained stakeholder collaboration and proactive conflict prevention.

The bilateral engagements brought together a wide range of participants, including representatives from the Independent National Electoral Commission, the Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security, the Nigeria Police Force, other security agencies, political parties, traditional rulers, religious leaders, civil society organisations, women’s groups, youth organisations, persons with disabilities, media organisations, election observers, and development partners.

During the sessions, participants deliberated on key issues such as organised political violence, electoral offences, voter inducement, political intimidation, disinformation, harmful political rhetoric, protection of electoral infrastructure, and the importance of early warning and rapid response mechanisms.

The discussions also focused on responsible political communication, peaceful campaigns, issue-based politics, and respect for democratic institutions and lawful dispute resolution.

Barr. Asabe Ndahi further explained that the Peace Accord is more than a signing ceremony, describing it as a confidence-building mechanism that encourages political actors to place national and public interest above partisan interests, reject violence, and embrace peaceful democratic competition.

She added that the engagement provides stakeholders with an opportunity to clarify misconceptions about the Peace Accord, understand their respective responsibilities, strengthen collaboration before Election Day, promote peaceful messaging across communities, and reduce election-related tensions through dialogue.

Ndahi reiterated that the committee is committed to ensuring that the electoral process in Osun State serves as a model for peaceful democratic transitions in Nigeria.

Stakeholders at the engagement reaffirmed their commitment to peaceful elections and called on political parties, supporters, and citizens to reject violence, uphold democratic values, and ensure that political competition remains peaceful throughout the electoral cycle.

They also underscored the need for institutional coordination, evidence-based election security, and collective action to prevent conflict before, during, and after polling day.

The bilateral consultations form part of the National Peace Committee’s broader peacebuilding interventions ahead of the formal signing of the Peace Accord on 30 July 2026 and the governorship election fixed for 15 August 2026.

The committee, through The Kukah Centre, continues to work with all stakeholders to promote dialogue, accountability, and public confidence in democratic institutions, with the ultimate goal of delivering an election that reflects the will of the people and strengthens Nigeria’s democratic trajectory.