By Shina Abubakar

OSOGBO — The absence of the Accord Party and the All Progressives Congress (APC) dominated discussions on Wednesday as the Osun State Police Command convened a stakeholders’ meeting aimed at curbing rising political violence ahead of the state’s governorship election.

The peace parley, organized by the police, brought together representatives of political parties, civil society organizations, media practitioners, students and other stakeholders to promote peaceful conduct during the electioneering period.

Speaking on behalf of participating political parties, the governorship candidate of the Boot Party, Prince Adesoji Masilo, and his counterpart from the Allied Peoples Movement (APM), Simeon Adebayo, expressed concern over the absence of the APC and Accord Party, alleging that both parties had been linked to recent political tensions in the state.

Addressing participants, the Osun State Commissioner of Police, Ibrahim Gotan, urged political parties and candidates to notify security agencies ahead of rallies, campaigns, processions and other political gatherings.

According to him, timely notification would enable security agencies to deploy personnel effectively, provide adequate security coverage, manage traffic, prevent clashes and ensure the safety of participants and members of the public.

“Security agencies can only plan effectively when they are informed in good time,” Gotan said.

The commissioner also warned against the destruction, defacement or removal of opponents’ campaign materials, describing such actions as unlawful and capable of escalating political hostility.

“The destruction, defacement or removal of opponents’ billboards, banners, posters and other campaign materials must stop. Such acts are not only unlawful but are capable of provoking retaliation, creating tension and escalating political hostility. Political competition should be based on ideas, policies and programmes, not on the destruction of property belonging to opponents,” he stated.

Gotan further advised political actors to avoid late-night rallies, discourage thuggery and gangsterism, refrain from sponsoring political violence and shun hate speech, inflammatory comments and inciting statements capable of threatening public peace.

Also speaking at the meeting, the Resident Electoral Commissioner in Osun State, Mrs. Oluwatoyin Babalola, lamented the recent incidents of political violence that have claimed lives and heightened fears among residents and stakeholders.

She called on political parties, candidates and their supporters to embrace issue-based campaigns, sportsmanship and respect for the rule of law.

“The recent incidents of violence, which unfortunately resulted in the loss of lives, have created an atmosphere of apprehension among citizens and stakeholders.

“We must collectively reject hate speech, incitement, misinformation and any action capable of threatening the peace and security of our communities,” Babalola said.

The meeting formed part of efforts by security agencies and electoral stakeholders to foster peaceful campaigns and prevent further violence ahead of the forthcoming governorship election in the state.

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