No fewer than 500 drummers and other cultural enthusiasts are expected to converge on Osun State later this month for a peace campaign aimed at promoting a violence-free atmosphere ahead of the state’s governorship election.
The initiative, tagged: “Drum for Peace” and themed: “Promoting Peace through Drums, Not Guns/Bombs,” is being organised by Prince Adewale Laoye of Aafin Ilu (Palace of Drums) and is scheduled to hold on July 26 at the Ede City Hall, Ede.
Prince Laoye said the campaign would deploy traditional drumming and other cultural expressions to foster unity, peaceful coexistence and civic responsibility before, during and after the governorship poll.
The event is expected to attract singers, poets, traditional chanters, drummers and other creative artists, whose performances will focus on promoting peace, tolerance and communal harmony through music, spoken word and indigenous cultural displays.
Security personnel, officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), community leaders and other stakeholders are also expected to deliver keynote addresses on peaceful electoral participation, conflict prevention and social cohesion.
According to the Ede prince , the gathering will bring together traditional rulers, youths, community leaders, women, adults and residents from diverse ethnic and cultural backgrounds across Osun State in a collective call for non-violence during the electoral process.
Speaking on the significance of the initiative, Prince Laoye described culture as a powerful instrument for nation-building and social transformation, stressing that traditional institutions and cultural heritage have critical roles to play in promoting peace and stability.
He said the campaign seeks to remind citizens that sustainable development can only thrive in an atmosphere of peace, dialogue and mutual respect.
“The movement is designed to demonstrate that communities flourish when dialogue replaces conflict and that peace remains the foundation for progress. Through the universal language of drums, we hope to inspire unity and discourage every form of electoral violence,” he said.
Laoye called on residents, community-based organisations, civil society groups and peace advocates to support the initiative, saying collective action would strengthen efforts to ensure a credible, peaceful and violence-free governorship election in Osun State.
The Drum for Peace campaign is coming amid renewed appeals by stakeholders for issue-based campaigns and peaceful conduct by political actors as preparations intensify for the governorship election.
