Elections: Osun residents urge politcal parties to embrace peace

The political spat between the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, and All Progressives Congress, APC, in Osun State is not going well with the electorates.

Apparently, the voters, who have made up their minds, view these unpleasant banter between the two leading political parties as not healthy for the political climate of the state.

Prior to the presidential and National Assembly elections, both parties; PDP and APC, have constantly traded accusations and counter accusations against each other.

Speaking to Media Talk Africa, some residents urged the political parties and politicians to allow peace to reign.

Steven Olagunsoye called on both political parties to embrace peace and make the many peace pacts they signed before the elections binding after the elections have long gone.

“Nigerians want peace. The political parties should just stick to the peace pacts they signed. It is all for the good of Nigeria. We don’t have any other country but Nigeria.”

Boluwatife Akindoyin, an Osogbo-based architect on her side, asked the political parties in the state to apologise to the electorates for putting their lives at risk all because of their political gains.

She also demanded that the political parities drop their name tagging of the Police as the security agency has no interest in whoever wins any political position within the state.

Jamiu Mohammed alleged that the political parties were behind the recent kidnappings and spate of killings witnessed in the state.

“These political parties cannot deny being behind the recent rise of kidnappings and killings in Osun State.

“All in the name of politics and elections, peace has evaded the state, and the peace we used to enjoy has disappeared.

“We hope that after the election, we will have our peace back,” he said.

The Osun State Police Command has denied being partisan and in support of any political party.

It said this through the command spokesperson, Yemisi Opalola.

Prior to the elections, the Osun East Senatorial District comprising of Ilesa and Ife lands, was enveloped in crisis and blood lettings.

The APC alleged that the PDP attacked and killed its members and some have fled their homes seeking refuge in other parts of the state.

The Osun PDP, meanwhile, also alleged that the APC imported violence into the state on the arrival of the former governor, Adegboyega Oyetola, in January.

Both political parties in a fresh statement on Sunday accused each other of stockpiling arms and ammunition and both also invited the security agencies to intervene in order to avert bloodshed.