The Osun State government on Sunday, August 23, said it had uncovered plans by those it called ‘stakeholders’ to organise post-election violence at local government secretariats and various motor parks across the state.
The government said this in a statement, saying the plan should stop immediately in the interest of public peace as election has come and gone.
The governorship election was held in the state on August 15 and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) declared the incumbent governor, Ademola Adeleke, as the winner.
The government however said some ‘stakeholders’ are planning to cause violence, adding that any push towards violence represents an affront on the good people of the state.
The statement reads: “The Osun State government has warned against any disruption of public peace by any group or individuals, declaring that it is time for post-election reconciliation and peace-building.
“The state government calls for state healing and avoidance of a return to conflict in the post-election space.
“The government also noted the immediate post-election disruptions in some areas of the state and urged all residents and citizens of the state to allow restoration of peaceful coexistence and rule based interactions among all sectors of the society.
“The government is particularly disturbed by reports of plans by some stakeholders to ignite fresh rounds of crisis across local government councils and motor parks across the state.
“This plan, if true, should stop immediately in the interest of public peace. Osun needs peace for development, not violence in politics.
“The Osun election has been won and lost. Mr President and Mr Governor had engaged on a peaceful way forward. Any push towards violence represents an affront on the Presidency and the Nigerian constitution.
“The government calls on security agencies to enforce return to rule of law by ensuring release of political detainees and an end to perceived partisan policing especially on local government and motor park management.
“We call on all political actors to speak and act peacefully. Osun should be in a period of healing and building. We must not allow a relapse into the pre-election era of killings and violence.”
