The PreachForPeace Project has appealed for calm, restraint, and peaceful engagement among political actors and residents following rising political tension and a tragic incident in Ilobu, Osun State.
In a statement issued on Monday, the peacebuilding initiative expressed concern over recent political comments and incidents which it said could threaten the fragile peace efforts across Ilobu, Erin-Osun, and Ifon-Orolu communities.
The project, implemented by Future Builders Initiative (FBI) in partnership with PEACAD Network and supported by the German Federal Foreign Office through the ifa/zivik Funding Programme, warned that inflammatory political rhetoric could escalate tensions and deepen divisions within affected communities.
Reacting to the recent incident in Ilobu that reportedly led to the death of a 14-year-old boy during political violence, the organisation described the development as painful and urged all stakeholders to prioritise the protection of lives.
According to the statement, the loss of the young boy serves as a reminder of the urgent need for political leaders and community actors to act responsibly and avoid actions capable of triggering further unrest.
The project noted that over the last five months, efforts had been ongoing to promote trust, dialogue, and peaceful coexistence among residents of Ilobu, Erin-Osun, and Ifon-Orolu.
It recalled that on June 18, stakeholders from the three communities participated in a Multi-Stakeholder Peace Summit where a Peace Accord was signed with commitments to dialogue, accountability, and long-term peacebuilding.
The organisation urged political stakeholders to honour the spirit of the agreement and avoid statements or actions capable of reversing progress already achieved.
Among its recommendations, the project called on political leaders to refrain from inflammatory comments, respect the sanctity of human life, embrace constructive dialogue, and allow lawful authorities to investigate the recent incident without interference.
It also encouraged residents to remain peaceful, avoid retaliation, and support ongoing efforts to maintain public order.
Extending condolences to the family of the deceased, the organisation called on security agencies to conduct a thorough and transparent investigation and ensure justice is served.
The PreachForPeace Project reaffirmed its commitment to supporting dialogue and reconciliation efforts and stressed that sustainable peace in Ilobu, Erin-Osun, and Ifon-Orolu would depend on collective decisions to prioritise unity, peace, and coexistence over conflict and division.