The Osun Development Association (ODA) has announced plans to convene a high-level summit aimed at promoting peaceful, transparent and accountable elections ahead of the August 2026 governorship poll in Osun State.
The event, titled Osun 2026 Democratic Governance, Peace and Electoral Integrity Summit, is scheduled to hold on Thursday, July 16, 2026, at the Aurora Event Centre, New GRA, Osogbo, beginning at 10 a.m.
Organised by ODA’s Leadership and Governance Committee (LEAD-GOV), the summit is themed “Speak, Choose, Hold Accountable: Citizens at the Centre of Osun’s Democracy”. It is intended to encourage issue-based political campaigns while addressing growing concerns over political tension, violence and the destruction of campaign materials in the state.
According to the organisers, the initiative represents a non-partisan intervention by members of Osun’s diaspora and local civic community to strengthen democratic values and foster peaceful participation in the electoral process.
Quoting the Chairman of ODA’s LEAD-GOV Committee, Dr. Tunji Olugbodi, in a press release, ODA’s Assistant Publicity Secretary, Dr. Chris Adetayo, said the summit would provide a platform for citizens and institutions to reinforce democratic accountability.
“Osun State is at a critical democratic crossroads. We believe our state can, and must, set a national benchmark for peaceful, credible and development-driven elections. This summit places citizens at the centre of the democratic process while demanding accountability from all political actors,” he said.
The summit is expected to attract key stakeholders, including officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), heads of security agencies in the state, governorship candidates and representatives of registered political parties.
Also expected are leaders of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) and the Muslim Ummah, traditional rulers, civil society organisations, professional associations, youth and women advocacy groups, as well as members of the media.
A major highlight of the event will be the unveiling and signing of three key documents designed to guide both the election period and governance after the polls.
The first is the Osun 2026 Peace Charter, which will require political parties and governorship candidates to publicly commit to peaceful conduct and issue-based campaigns.
The second is the Governance Accountability Charter, a document outlining citizens’ expectations for the next administration, while the third is the Summit Communiqué, which will contain recommendations on sustaining peace before and after the governorship election.
ODA said the commitments made during the summit would not end with the election.
In partnership with the Transition Monitoring Group (TMG), the association plans to implement a monitoring and evaluation framework to assess compliance with the agreements for three months after the governorship poll.
Chairman of ODA, Dr. Segun Aina, OFR, said the participation of religious leaders, traditional institutions and the media would strengthen public confidence and provide moral support for peaceful elections in Osun State.
The organisers also called on journalists, civil society organisations and invited corporate delegates to complete their accreditation with the LEAD-GOV Committee Secretariat on or before July 10 to obtain entry passes and media access.
The Osun Development Association describes is a non-partisan organisation comprising members of the diaspora and residents committed to promoting socio-economic development, good governance and democratic sustainability in Osun State.
