The governorship candidate of the Allied Peoples Movement (APM) in the forthcoming Osun State governorship election, Mr Adebayo Adewale, has urged political stakeholders to embrace people-centred governance and reject all forms of political violence.
Adewale made the appeal while speaking with journalists in Osogbo on Thursday amid rising political tensions and reported incidents of violence involving supporters of major political parties in the state.
He stressed that no political ambition should come at the cost of human lives, warning against turning Osun into a battleground for political supremacy.
According to him, the state belongs to all residents and should not become a theatre of conflict, adding that young people must not be used as tools in political rivalries while families should not be left to bear the pain of avoidable losses.
“Elections should be contests of ideas and programmes, not contests of violence,” he said.
The APM candidate also described the endorsement of his candidacy by former Osun State Governor, Olagunsoye Oyinlola; former Secretary to the State Government, Fatai Akinbade; and former PDP South-West Vice Chairman, Tajudeen Oladipo, as evidence of growing support for a new political direction in the state.
Adewale reaffirmed his commitment to strengthening local government autonomy, promoting transparency in governance, attracting investment, creating opportunities for youths and women, modernising agriculture and advancing the digital economy.
“Our future cannot be built on bitterness, violence and endless political warfare. It must be built on peace, productivity, innovation, investment, quality education, food security and opportunities for every citizen,” he said.
He added that the time had come to move away from politics driven by power struggles and focus instead on policies capable of improving the welfare and living conditions of the people.
Reiterating his campaign slogan, ‘One Osun, Productive People, Shared Prosperity,’ Adewale said his vision remained centred on building a peaceful, inclusive and prosperous Osun State.