Osun Govt Warns Against Fresh Crisis, Calls for Post-Election Reconciliation
By Waliu Adetokun, Osogbo
The Osun State Government has warned individuals and groups against actions capable of disrupting public peace, urging political actors and residents to embrace reconciliation and work towards restoring lasting peace across the state.
The Commissioner for Information and Public Enlightenment, Oluomo Kolapo Alimi, made the call in a statement issued on Sunday, while expressing the government’s condolences to victims of the tensions and violence recorded before the governorship election.
Alimi said the state needed healing after the election and urged residents to avoid actions that could plunge the state into another round of crisis.
The government also expressed concern over reports of disruptions in some parts of the state following the election, calling on all residents to allow peaceful coexistence and respect for the rule of law.
It further raised concern over alleged plans by some stakeholders to cause fresh disturbances in local government councils and motor parks across the state.
The commissioner said such plans, if confirmed, should be abandoned immediately in the interest of peace and development.
“Osun needs peace for development, not violence in politics,” Alimi said.
He stressed that the governorship election had been concluded, noting that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Governor Ademola Adeleke had engaged on a peaceful way forward.
“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,” he said.
The state government also called on security agencies to uphold the rule of law by ensuring the release of political detainees and putting an end to what it described as perceived partisan policing, particularly in the management of local government councils and motor parks.
Alimi urged political leaders and their supporters to be mindful of their actions and statements, saying the state should now focus on reconciliation, peace and development.
“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,” he said.
The government urged all stakeholders to put the interest of Osun State above political differences and work together to maintain peace and stability across the state.
