The three main political party candidates running for the Osun governorship on July 16th had separate audiences with famed Nigerian singer Innocent Idibia, better known by his stage name 2baba, on Wednesday. The purpose of the visits was to caution the candidates’ supporters against political acrimony, bitterness, and bickering during the course of the exercise.
A peace treaty that required them to maintain harmony prior to, during, and following the election was forced upon the three contenders: Dr. Akin Ogunbiyi of the Accord Party, Governor Adegboyega Oyetola of the All Progressives Congress, and Senator Ademola Adeleke of the Peoples Democratic Party.
The three was reminded that only in an environment of peace could free and fair elections be held at their offices in Ede, the state capital, and Osogbo.
The hip-hop artist, whose entourage flooded the state with the motto “Vote Not Fight” during the election, urged the three contenders to teach their supporters the importance of nonviolent protest in all political contests.
As a man of peace, we hope that you will commit to running a peaceful campaign and encouraging your supporters to be peaceful before, during, and after the Osun governorship election, he said to each candidate.
“The New Generation for Girls and Women Development Initiative, Justice, Development, and Peace Maker Center, in partnership with the 2Face Idibia Foundation, executed the campaign with backing from the National Democratic Institute and the US Agency for International Development.
2baba calls on Senator Adeleke to inform his supporters about the destructive power of hate speech and electoral violence, which has the potential to ignite a calm situation, from his residence in Ede.
“We urge you to publicly denounce hate speech, vote-buying, youth-instigated/perpetrated violence, and electoral violence directed towards women in order to strengthen the VNF and Stop-VAWIP campaigns.”
Adeleke responded by calling for unity, peace, and understanding between political groups despite their disparate ideas and political affiliations.
Following the meeting, Governor Oyetola reaffirmed his commitment to a free, fair, and peaceful election while also signing a peace treaty.
