The spokesman for the Imole Campaign Council, Pelumi Olajengbesi, has faulted All Progressives Congress governorship candidate Bola Oyebamiji for failing to attend the Peace Accord meeting convened by the National Peace Committee ahead of the 15 August Osun State governorship election.

In a statement released on Friday, Olajengbesi described Oyebamiji’s absence as “a demonstration of disregard for the people of Osun State and the democratic process.”

He noted that the date of the meeting had been communicated months earlier. The APC candidate instead attended a campaign rally in Iwo. A member of his campaign council, Kola Olabisi, represented him, while his running mate, Kayode Adereti, arrived after the signing of the Peace Accord had concluded.

Olajengbesi questioned whether attendance at such a critical event should be delegated, particularly given recent incidents of electoral violence in the state. He said Oyebamiji missed an opportunity to demonstrate commitment to peaceful elections before dignitaries including the Ooni of Ife, Oba Enitan Ogunwusi, and members of the National Peace Committee.

The lawyer argued that the absence reinforced doubts about the APC’s dedication to peaceful democratic engagement at a time when political actors should be reassuring the public.

Olajengbesi maintained that the people of Osun remain committed to Omoluabi values and would reject intimidation and violence. He expressed confidence that voters would reaffirm their support for Governor Ademola Adeleke on 15 August.

Personal attendance by leading candidates at peace accords has traditionally been viewed as a public signal of commitment to non-violent conduct. The decision to prioritise a campaign event over the meeting has now become a point of political contention two weeks before the poll.