The Defence for Yoruba People’s Right (DYPR), a pan-Yoruba civil society organization committed to protecting, advocating and promoting the rights and interests of the Yoruba people within and outside Nigeria, has launched a statewide peace and consultation tour across Osun State ahead of the 2026 governorship election.
The organization, led by its President, “Otunba Opeyemi Muyideen Olamoyegun, JP” , said the initiative is aimed at promoting peace, political tolerance and credible elections through engagements with traditional rulers, community leaders, youth groups and other critical stakeholders across the state.
Speaking during the consultation visits to various towns, villages and cities, the group appealed to political parties, candidates and their supporters to embrace peace and shun every act capable of disrupting the electoral process.
According to the organization, the 2026 governorship election should be an opportunity for the people of Osun State to freely choose their preferred candidate without fear, intimidation or violence.
DYPR urged eligible voters to come out in large numbers on election day to exercise their constitutional right, stressing that every vote counts in a democratic society.
“The people’s vote is their voice and their constitutional right. Citizens must not allow fear, threats or intimidation to discourage them from participating in the electoral process. They should vote freely and peacefully while standing firmly to protect the sanctity of their votes through lawful means,” the group stated.
The organization also called on traditional rulers and community leaders to intensify efforts in educating young people against allowing themselves to be recruited as political thugs or used for ballot snatching, electoral violence and other criminal activities.
The group warned that while elections are temporary, the consequences of violence and criminal acts committed during election periods often leave lasting scars on families, communities and the state’s democratic development.
“Election will come and go, but the consequences of violence, political killings and other unlawful acts may remain for generations. No political ambition is worth the loss of human lives,” the statement added.
DYPR further appealed to the Federal Government to ensure adequate deployment of security personnel across Osun State before, during and after the election to guarantee the safety of voters and electoral officials.
The organization urged security agencies to act professionally by preventing political violence, vote buying, ballot snatching, intimidation and every form of electoral malpractice capable of undermining the credibility of the election.
The group also called on the Nigeria Police Force and other security agencies to maintain absolute neutrality, impartiality and professionalism throughout the electoral process, emphasizing that public confidence in the election would depend largely on the fairness and conduct of security personnel.
The organization concluded by urging all stakeholders to place the peace, unity and progress of Osun State above political interests, noting that a peaceful, free and credible election remains the foundation of sustainable democratic governance and development.
