Adeleke's team criticizes Oyebamiji for missing Osun peace meeting

A lawyer and spokesman for the Imole Campaign Council, Pelumi Olajengbesi, has called out the All Progressives Congress governorship candidate in Osun State, Bola Oyebamiji, for not attending the Peace Accord meeting before the August 15 governorship election.

In a statement posted on his Facebook page on Friday, Olajengbesi said Oyebamiji’s absence from the meeting organized by the National Peace Committee showed a lack of respect for the people of Osun State and the democratic process.

He pointed out that the date of the meeting had been announced months ahead of time. So, it was hard to understand why the APC candidate chose to go to a campaign rally in Iwo instead of the peace meeting.

“It was expected that every candidate would personally attend such an important event, given the recent incidents of electoral violence in the state,” Olajengbesi said.

He mentioned that although Kola Olabisi, a member of Oyebamiji’s campaign council, came to the meeting for him, and his running mate, Kayode Adereti, showed up after the signing of the Peace Accord, the APC candidate should have been there himself.

“The question remains whether attendance at such a crucial event is a responsibility that should be delegated. That is a question the people of Osun deserve to answer for themselves,” he added.

Olajengbesi said Oyebamiji missed a chance to show his commitment to peaceful elections before members of the National Peace Committee and other important guests, including the Ooni of Ife, Oba Enitan Ogunwusi.

He also argued that Oyebamiji’s absence raised doubts about the APC’s commitment to peaceful democratic practices.

“At a time when political actors should be reassuring the public of their dedication to violence-free elections, such a decision sends the wrong message,” the lawyer stated.

Olajengbesi emphasized that the people of Osun are committed to the state’s Omoluabi values and will reject any form of intimidation and violence during the polls.

“The people of Osun State are peaceful, accommodating, and deeply rooted in the Omoluabi ethos. They rejected politics of intimidation and impunity in 2022, and we remain confident they will once again affirm their commitment to peace, democracy, and good governance on August 15 by re-electing Governor Ademola Adeleke,” he said.