Indigenes of Osun State in the diaspora, under the auspices of the Osun Development Association (ODA), have declared that the governorship candidates of political parties contesting in the forthcoming election in the state will sign a peace accord ahead of the poll.

ODA noted that this is necessary in view of the prevailing situation in the state and to prevent a breakdown of law and order.

The group explained that the current governor and Accord candidate, Senator Ademola Adeleke; the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate, Mr Bola Oyebamiji; the Action Alliance candidate, Olanrewaju Farinloye; the African Democratic Congress (ADC) candidate, Najeem Salaam; the African Action Congress (AAC) candidate, Esan Olajide; and other candidates will sign the peace pact.

Chairman of ODA’s Leadership and Governance Committee, Dr Tunji Olugbodi, made the declaration in a statement heralding the planned summit where candidates of the political parties will sign the peace accord to prevent violence before, during and after the election.

Olugbodi, in the statement made available to DAILY POST on Monday evening, explained that the state is currently at a critical democratic crossroads.

He said the summit, with the theme, “Speak, Choose, Hold Accountable: Citizens at the Centre of Osun’s Democracy,” is billed to take place in Osogbo because it is necessary to commit all the major stakeholders to a peaceful electoral process.

Olugbodi added that the group believes the state can set a national benchmark for peaceful, credible elections.

The summit is expected to bring all stakeholders in the electoral process under one roof to chart a way forward in order to prevent any uncertainty before, during and after the election.

Olugbodi said, “Osun State is at a critical democratic crossroads. The Osun Development Association (ODA) has finalised arrangements to host the Osun 2026 Democratic Governance, Peace and Electoral Integrity Summit, a high-level civic intervention designed to steer the state’s political discourse toward issue-based campaigning and away from rising tension ahead of the August governorship election.”

ODA Chairman, Dr Segun Aina, in his contribution, noted that the collective participation of all stakeholders is necessary for the forthcoming election.

Former Vice President of Nigeria and Presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress, Atiku Abubakar, has revealed his next move after the appeal court judgement upheld the order stopping the Independent National Electoral Commission from recognising the opposition party’s state congresses.

In a statement by his spokesperson Phrank Shaibu, Atiku explained that the judgement did not nullify ADC primaries which led to his emergence as the party’s flagbearer ahead of the 2027 general election.

Recall that the Appeal Court, in a majority judgement delivered by Justices Okon Abang and Donatus Okorowo, held that the Federal High Court was right in assuming jurisdiction in the case which stopped former Senate President David Mark’s leadership of the ADC from removing the state chairmen of the party because it was based on the breach of the ADC Constitution to remove the chairmen from office when their tenure had not lapsed.

Reacting, Atiku stressed that the Court of Appeal did not invalidate the ADC’s primary elections conducted for the nomination of candidates for the 2027 general elections.

He described the attempts to portray the judgement as the end of the ADC’s presidential ticket as nothing more than another chapter in the ongoing campaign of misinformation designed to demoralise the opposition and confuse Nigerians.

According to him, he has instructed his legal team to head to the Supreme Court on the determination of the issues arising from the judgement.

“Those celebrating today should celebrate with caution. Those attempting to sell false hope to their supporters should remember that political propaganda can never substitute for judicial pronouncements.

“The judgement being celebrated relates to the conduct of state congresses and the tenure of state executive committees. It does not, from the facts available, amount to a judicial nullification of the ADC’s primary elections conducted under the Electoral Act.

“There is a world of legal difference between the election of party executives through internal congresses and the nomination of candidates through statutory primary elections. They are distinct legal exercises, governed by different legal principles and serving different constitutional purposes. One should not be confused with the other.

“It is a settled principle of law that courts determine only the issues submitted before them. They neither manufacture disputes nor pronounce on matters that were never placed before them. Any attempt to stretch this judgement beyond its proper scope is an invitation to legal absurdity.

“Our opponents appear more eager to write judgements on social media than to read the one delivered by the Court of Appeal. Nigeria is governed by the rule of law, not by headlines, hashtags or the fantasies of political opportunists.

“We remain respectful of the judiciary and have already instructed our legal team to approach the Supreme Court for a definitive determination of the issues arising from the judgement. That is the proper constitutional path, and we have absolute confidence in the judicial process.

“Let no supporter of the ADC lose sleep. Let no Nigerian who believes in the restoration of our country be discouraged. The struggle to rescue Nigeria has never been about one courtroom or one judgement. It is a movement born out of the collective desire of millions of Nigerians for competent leadership, economic recovery, national unity and the restoration of hope.

“We therefore urge our members across the federation to remain calm, united and focused. Stay committed to the mission. Continue mobilising. Continue organising. Continue believing. No amount of legal gymnastics or political spin can extinguish the legitimate aspirations of Nigerians for a better country.

“The road to 2027 remains open, and the resolve of the Nigerian people cannot be overturned by propaganda. Our destination remains unchanged, and by the grace of God and the will of the Nigerian people, we shall arrive,” he stated.

The Allied People’s Movement (APM) has expressed confidence that its presidential candidate, Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State, will defeat President Bola Tinubu in the 2027 presidential election.

The party made the declaration on Monday after confirming that it had submitted the nomination details of its presidential, vice-presidential and National Assembly candidates to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

Speaking on the development, the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Abubakar Yusuf, said the submission marked an important step in the party’s preparations for the 2027 general elections.

Yusuf said the party had submitted the details of its presidential, vice-presidential and National Assembly candidates to INEC in line with electoral requirements.

“The submission marks a major step in our preparations to offer Nigerians a credible, competent and people-focused alternative in the 2027 general elections. We are also strengthening our grassroots mobilisation across the country, and we are confident of emerging victorious at the polls,” Yusuf said.

According to him, the APM has continued to attract more supporters since Makinde emerged as its presidential candidate, while Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed accepted the party’s senatorial ticket for Bauchi South.

The party blamed the current administration for the country’s economic and security challenges, saying many Nigerians were demanding a change in leadership.

“Across the country, citizens have expressed deep concerns about the rising cost of living, widespread insecurity, unemployment and declining economic opportunities. These are genuine concerns that require practical solutions and compassionate leadership, which only the APM can offer,” Yusuf said.

“With an APM-led administration and Makinde on the saddle, the welfare of Nigerians will be at the centre of government policies,” he said.

The party described Makinde as a leader with the experience and capacity to rebuild the country, citing his performance as governor of Oyo State.

“We have a presidential candidate who not only has the commitment but also the leadership capacity and competence to secure our nation, rebuild the economy and ensure that every Nigerian enjoys the dividends of good governance,” Yusuf said.

The party maintained that the performance of the APC-led Federal government had convinced Nigerians that a new direction was needed.