19/08/2026
๐๐จ ๐ง๐๐๐ ๐ญ๐จ ๐๐ข๐ฅ๐ฅ ๐๐จ๐ฏ๐๐ซ๐ง๐จ๐ซ ๐๐๐๐ฅ๐๐ค๐
๐๐ฎ๐ฌ๐ญ ๐๐ง ๐๐ฅ๐๐๐ญ๐ข๐จ๐ง, ๐๐ก๐๐ซ๐โ๐ฌ ๐๐ฅ๐ฐ๐๐ฒ๐ฌ ๐ ๐๐ข๐ง๐ง๐๐ซ ๐๐ง๐ ๐๐จ๐ฌ๐๐ซ, ๐๐จ๐ญ ๐๐๐จ๐ฎ๐ญ ๐๐ข๐ฅ๐ฅ๐ข๐ง๐ ๐ญ๐ก๐ ๐๐ก๐จ๐ฌ๐๐ง
Elections are meant to be a celebration of democracy, a peaceful process where people choose who leads them. In every contest, there must be a winner and there must be a loser. It is a simple fact of sportsmanship and civic duty. Why then do we see weapons, panic, and violence taking over our streets just because people exercised their voting rights?
The recent attack on Governor Ademola Adelekeโs convoy at the palace of the Ataoja of Osogbo is a sad reminder of how reckless political desperation can get. Fresh from receiving his Certificate of Return following the August 15, 2026, election, the Governor visited the palace to celebrate with the traditional ruler. What was supposed to be a joyful, historic moment quickly turned into a scene of panic as hoodlums opened fire. Security details had to battle for up to 15 minutes to repel the attackers. Innocent traders had to abandon their wares and run for their lives.
Political victory or defeat should never be a death sentence. Power belongs to God, and He gives it to whom He chooses. When the electorate speaks and a leader is chosen, attempting to hurt, destroy, or kill that person is an attack on the will of the people and God's plan. No political ambition is worth the blood of any citizen or the destruction of peace in our communities.
Let us learn to embrace the spirit of peace. If an election does not go your way today, there is always another time. We must stop using violence to settle political scores and instead respect the democratic process. Itโs just an election, let the chosen lead, and let peace reign in Osun State.
Anjorin B. Mayowa
Terrymilo
