The wife of the Osun state governor, Mrs Titilayo Adeleke, Monday, led a peaceful protest of women through the streets of Osogbo, demanding an end to political violence and intimidation ahead of Saturday August 15, 2026 governorship election.

Joined by the Commissioner for Women Affairs, Ayobola Awolowo, and the Special Adviser on Market Women, Mrs. Eniola Omotosho, the Osun First Lady called for a free and fair electoral process, urging security agencies to stop the harassment of citizens and political figures.

“We are demanding a free and fair election in the forthcoming poll. We want peace, let there be peace.

“We want them to invite certain individuals for questioning to stop the killing of our husbands and children, and make them sign undertakings. From what we heard, we learned they plan to start picking up our leaders this week. 

“Last Friday, they picked up the Commissioner for Environment, brought him in, and stripped him naked. This is not good enough. They should leave our people alone,” Mrs. Adeleke said.

The Election Commissioner of Police, Samuel Etaifo, commended the peaceful conduct of the demonstration. 

He urged them to avoid actions that could inadvertently stoke political tension.

“I have the utmost respect for women, if not for that, I would have directed my men to stop you,” CP Etaifo stated. 

He noted that the Inspector-General of Police (IGP) deployed him to the state three weeks ahead of the poll, a rare move, due to heightened security concerns.

“If you notice, since I came, we have had relative peace in the state. However, the problem we have is that we cannot continue to tolerate gatherings like this because they can escalate tension. Let us assume you come out now and the opposing party does the same and you clash, what happens?”