The founder of Victory Life Ministries International, Bishop Mike Bamidele, has appealed to politicians, supporters and residents of Osun State to embrace peace ahead of the August 15 governorship election in the state.
Bishop Bamidele made the appeal on Monday while fielding questions from journalists in Osogbo during the 2026 Global Pentecost Day programme.
The cleric expressed concern over voter apathy in Nigeria, attributing it to disappointment caused by successive governments over the years.
According to him, “The Nigerian voters by statistics are already having apathy because of the disappointment they have in the leadership of successive governments.”
He noted that insecurity and political tension could discourage citizens from participating in the forthcoming governorship election, stressing the need for political leaders and influential individuals to encourage peaceful participation in the democratic process.
“People would be afraid not just because of politics but because of the insecurity that has added to it, but I think we should still encourage voters and ourselves and those who have influence on others should encourage them to still participate,” he said.
The bishop also called for the declaration of Pentecost Day as a public holiday, saying such a move would further promote peace and spiritual reflection in society.
Speaking on the administration of Governor Ademola Adeleke, Bishop Bamidele said the governor should continue while ensuring that their supporters do not engage in violence before, during and after the election.
“It is the players that we want to appeal to, to sign a peace accord and to control their followers not to go violent when their desires are not immediately granted.”
The cleric further stressed that elections should not become a reason for bloodshed or instability in the state.
“This is a contest; there will be a winner and a loser. If you win, don’t kill the other person and if you lose, don’t kill the winner. We own the state and nation together,” he added.
Bishop Bamidele also warned against the abuse of political influence, security power or traditional authority to destabilise the state ahead of the governorship poll.
“Let there be no use of unnecessary power whether spiritual, federal might, state might, community might or traditional might. Whichever angle people want to come in to destabilise, they should be frustrated. There should be no instability,” he said.
