Osun 2026: ODA convenes election integrity summit, rallies INEC, candidates, stakeholders behind peace charter

The Osun Development Association (ODA) has concluded arrangements to host the Osun 2026 Democratic Governance, Peace and Electoral Integrity Summit, a high-level civic initiative aimed at promoting peaceful, credible and issue-based campaigns ahead of the August 2026 governorship election in the state.

The summit is scheduled to hold on Thursday, July 16, 2026, at the Aurora Event Centre, Plot 6, New GRA, Osogbo, beginning at 10:00 a.m., under the theme: “Speak, Choose, Hold Accountable: Citizens at the Centre of Osun’s Democracy.”

Organised by ODA’s Leadership and Governance Committee (LEAD-GOV), the summit is a non-partisan intervention designed to address growing concerns over political violence, destruction of campaign materials and increasing personality-driven politics ahead of the governorship poll.

Chairman of the LEAD-GOV Committee, Dr. Tunji Olugbodi, said the initiative seeks to place citizens at the heart of the democratic process while encouraging political actors to embrace accountability and peaceful engagement.

“Osun State is at a critical democratic crossroads,” Olugbodi said.

“We believe our state can, and must, set a national benchmark for peaceful, credible and development-driven elections. This summit moves citizens from the periphery to the very centre of the democratic process, demanding institutional accountability from all political actors.”

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The summit will bring together key stakeholders, including the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), heads of security agencies in the state, governorship candidates and political parties, as well as representatives of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), the Muslim community, traditional rulers, civil society organisations, professional bodies, youth and women groups, and members of the media.

A major highlight of the event will be the unveiling and signing of three key documents intended to strengthen democratic governance before and after the election.

These include the Osun 2026 Peace Charter, through which political parties and candidates will publicly commit to peaceful, issue-based campaigns; the Governance Accountability Charter, a citizen-driven document outlining public expectations for the next administration; and the Summit Communiqué, which will contain recommendations on sustaining electoral peace and democratic governance.

To ensure that commitments made at the summit are implemented, ODA said it would partner with the Transition Monitoring Group (TMG) to establish a post-election monitoring and evaluation framework that will assess compliance with the agreements for three months after the governorship election.

Chairman of ODA, Dr. Segun Aina, OFR, said the involvement of religious leaders, traditional institutions and the independent media would provide the moral leadership and public oversight required to sustain peace throughout the electoral process.

He stressed that broad stakeholder participation would help reinforce public confidence in the electoral process while encouraging political leaders to remain accountable to the people.

The association also called on members of the media, civil society organisations and invited corporate participants to complete their accreditation with the LEAD-GOV Committee Secretariat on or before Friday, July 10, 2026, to obtain entry passes and media access for the event.

ODA described the summit as part of its broader commitment to promoting good governance, democratic sustainability and socio-economic development in Osun State through constructive civic engagement and non-partisan advocacy.