•Say killings, vote buying are unwanted components of governorship election
•We demand legal basis for military deployment to INEC office —CISLAC/TIN Coordinator
•Osun mustn’t become theatre of security intimidation —CNG
•Fear of Federal might, military interference, election-related violence are real—CDD
•Election must not be turned to war —PDP •Accord decries intimidation, violence

Civil Society Organisations (CSOs), political leaders and major political parties taking part in Saturday’s governorship election in Osun State have decried the spate of political violence rocking Osun State ahead of the August 15 election, as they insisted on the conduct of a free, peaceful and credible election.

The political parties, including the National Democratic Congress (NDC), the Accord political party, the African Democratic Congress (ADC), the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the All Progressives Congress (APC), spoke in different interviews with our correspondents on Wednesday and Thursday.

Political personalities who equally spoke against the rising electoral violence ahead of the Osun governorship election include the presidential candidate of the NDC, Mr. Peter Obi, the presidential candidate of the ADC, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, and the presidential candidate of the Accord, Gbenga Olawepo-Hashim.

The CSOs that demanded peaceful Osun governorship polls in different interviews with our correspondents include the Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC) and Transparency International Nigeria, Coalition of Northern Groups (CNG), Women in Nigeria (WIN), Centre for Democracy and Development (CDD), and the Osun Election Civil Society Observers’ Coordination Group.

The CSOs and the political parties raised serious concerns over the growing threat of electoral violence, political intimidation, killings, and vote buying ahead of the August 15 governorship election in Osun State, warning that the developments could undermine the credibility of the poll and discourage citizens from participating freely.

Reports of violence in Osun worrisome-Osun CISLAC/TIN

Speaking exclusively with Nigerian Tribune, Executive Director of the Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC) and Head of Transparency International Nigeria, Comrade Auwal Musa Ibrahim Rafisanjani, said reports from independent monitors, media organisations and ongoing assessments of the electoral environment indicated “a worrying pattern of violence, intimidation and alleged voter inducement” capable of threatening the integrity of the election.

Rafisanjani said several election-related incidents had been recorded across the state in recent months, including killings, shootings, clashes, attacks on political gatherings, destruction of property and other forms of intimidation. He cited the reported killing of 14-year-old Ezekiel Olapade in Ilobu, Irepodun Local Government Area, allegedly after he was struck by a stray bullet during a clash.

He also cited the reported killing of Kolade Eluyera in Irewole Local Government Area, the shooting of a political office holder in Osogbo and the killing of a political youth leader in Esa-Oke, stressing that although the circumstances and responsibility for some of the incidents remained subject to investigation, the reported loss of lives demanded urgent action.

“The reported loss of lives and increasing tensions across parts of the state demonstrate the urgent need for all stakeholders to prioritise peace and the protection of citizens,” Rafisanjani said.

He warned that vote buying and other forms of voter inducement posed an equally serious threat to the electoral process, saying the commercialisation of elections exploited economic hardship and vulnerability while weakening citizens’ ability to make independent political choices. According to him, “When votes are treated as commodities, the democratic process is reduced to a transaction rather than a genuine expression of the people’s will.”

The CISLAC chief said recent developments, including the arrest of government officials and other individuals over alleged electoral offences and the reported recovery of cash, Permanent Voter Cards and voter registers, further demonstrated the need for heightened vigilance by law enforcement and electoral authorities. He demanded that all allegations be investigated transparently and prosecuted strictly in accordance with the law, without political favour or discrimination.

Coalition of Northern Groups questions deployment of military

Also speaking with the Nigerian Tribune, National Coordinator of the Coalition of Northern Groups (CNG), Comrade Jamilu Charanchi, expressed concern over the reported deployment of the Army around the INEC office in Osun, saying the development raised legitimate questions about the mandate, proportionality and operational control of the security deployment.

“Our concern is not the presence of soldiers themselves, but the mandate, proportionality, neutrality, and chain of command under which they operate. INEC must remain firmly in charge of election administration, while security agencies must protect the process—not influence it,” Charanchi said.

Charanchi urged the military, police and other security agencies to operate strictly within the Constitution and applicable electoral laws, respect fundamental rights and maintain absolute political neutrality, stressing that “Osun belongs to its people—not to any party, candidate, security agency, or political godfather.” He added: “We need security without intimidation, authority without abuse, and an election protected by law—not an election overshadowed by force. Let the people decide.”

CSOs will closely monitor the election: Centre for Democracy and Development.

While giving an update on the situation report on Osun State, Senior Program Officer of the Centre for Democracy and Development (CDD), Comrade Austin Aigbe, affirmed the readiness of the CSOs to monitor the electioneering process.

While noting that all is set for the Osun 2026 elections, Comrade Aigbe, however, expressed grave concerns over the alleged militarisation of the gubernatorial election, partisanship of the erstwhile Commissioner of Police, and other prevailing crises in the State ahead of the Saturday election.

He said: “I think the major concern is what has happened before the election. The violence, the insecurity, the concern, the incidents that have happened pre-election, particularly up to now, CSO has recorded over 40 incidents, and most of those incidents are something that resonate with the fact that there will be a very violent election.

“So as we speak today, the Army has taken over the INEC office. The intention may be very, very pronounced because of the perception that there could be federal might in the state; federal might be used.

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“But the truth is that there›s another narrative to it. The Commissioner of Police here who eventually stepped down had openly displayed his partisan disposition. And again, people say that›s probably why the Army has come in, maybe so that the Police are not necessarily seen as taking charge of election security, whereas the law permits the Police to be in charge of election security.

 Violence in Osun election is alarming – Women in Politics

In her intervention, President of Women in Politics, Barrister Ebere Efendu, lamented that the level of violence in Osun State in this election is alarming.

While noting that the lingering crisis is “unprecedented in Nigeria and this is very bad for our democracy,” Barrister Efendu argued that the “effect it is going to have on voters will be that most voters will not want to come out to vote. It will also affect women voters, especially women who are observers, women who are electoral officers, persons with disabilities, and then the older people will be very afraid to participate in this election.

“So far we have heard about little over 47 people killed already, and this is supposed to be an election and not war. So I do not understand why this is happening and why we cannot conduct a free and fair election.

“I think at this point, we will have to get all the parties to commit or recommit themselves to the peace accord. One, the security agencies should impartially ensure that all the people involved in this election will be protected, and there will be adequate protection at polling units.

“We also need to ensure that INEC does what is right to reduce tension. So if we have agreed that there’s going to be electronic transmission of results from the booths, it has to happen; there has to be a credible election that people will feel, and you know we feel that the election is credible. And this will only happen if INEC ensures that the process is free and fair and seems to be free and fair.

“Honestly, I am worried about what is happening in Osun State. If this is an election that is just in a state and this level of violence is there, what will be the effects of violence, you know, on the general elections in 2027? I am concerned, and I think every woman should be concerned”, Efendu said.

INEC, security agents should play according to rules – Accord 

As Nigerians count days to the off-cycle governorship election in Osun State this weekend, the national secretariat of the Accord Party has said the election should not be seen as a war but one that gives room to the electorate to vote for parties and candidates of their choice.

Speaking with Nigerian Tribune on Wednesday in Abuja, the national publicity secretary of Accord, Joseph Omorogbe, said Governor Ademola Adeleke of Osun State and the party›s flagbearer has done well for the people and deserves to be re-elected for another term in office. 

While describing Accord as a peace-loving party, he charged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the security agencies to play by the rules and allow the will and choice of the Osun people to prevail on election day. 

He said: “The election is around the corner and by the grace of Almighty God and by the grace of Almighty Allah, the victory is for Accord. Victory for Adeleke is victory for Accord. No matter how it goes, it›s the voice of the people. The people have made their words known that the election is between the people and APC. It is not even between the people and Adeleke because Adeleke has done wonderfully.”

Coalition of Osun election observers demand credible, violence-free poll, warns against BVAS, logistics failures.

A coalition of civil society organisations has urged the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, security agencies and political actors to ensure Saturday’s Osun State governorship election is conducted peacefully, transparently and in line with democratic standards.

The demand was made on Thursday in Osogbo by the Osun Election Civil Society Observers’ Coordination Group during a pre-election press conference read by Olufemi Lawson, National Secretary of Campaign for Democracy.

The group said it had reviewed preparations for the poll and identified critical areas that could affect credibility, including logistics, BVAS performance, movement of materials and security.

While commending INEC for its stakeholder engagements and deployment plans, the observers warned that any avoidable logistical or technological failure would undermine public confidence.

They called on the commission to ensure early delivery of sensitive and non-sensitive materials to all polling units, including hard-to-reach areas, and to activate contingency plans where necessary.

The coalition also raised concerns over glitches recorded during the recent BVAS mock accreditation, describing them as a red flag.   

“BVAS devices cannot afford to fail or malfunction on election day,” the group said. It asked INEC to deploy adequate technical staff, provide backup devices and establish rapid-response teams to address issues in real time.

The observers expressed worry over reports linking some NURTW members to the movement of election materials.

IPAC urges voters to defy intimidation, asks security agencies to remain neutral

The Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC) has urged voters to come out in large numbers and exercise their franchise without fear, intimidation or inducement.

The council also charged security agencies deployed for the August 15 poll to maintain strict neutrality and professionalism, while appealing to parents and guardians not to allow their children or wards to be recruited for political violence.

The IPAC Chairman in Osun State, Dr. Tosin Odeyemi, gave the admonition in a statement issued in Osogbo on Thursday, stressing that the election represented a critical opportunity for the people to determine the direction of governance in the state.

Odeyemi, who is also the candidate of the Democratic Leadership Alliance (DLA), urged registered voters to protect their votes by turning out to participate in the election and voting according to their conscience.

The IPAC chairman appealed to voters not to allow fear or threats to discourage them from participating in the poll, noting that a high voter turnout would strengthen the legitimacy of the electoral process.

He equally called on security personnel assigned to the election to remain above partisan interests and discharge their responsibilities without favour or compromise.

According to him, the security agencies have a crucial role to play in protecting voters, officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), election materials and collation centres across the state’s 30 local government areas.

PDP demands peaceful, transparent poll, prosecution of Fadahunsi

The Interim National Working Committee (INWC) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has warned that nothing short of a peaceful, transparent governorship election in Osun on Saturday will be acceptable to Nigerians.

The party also expressed “tremendous shock” over the viral video threat by Senator Francis Fadahunsi to kill all opposition voters during the election.

The party, while calling for a peaceful, transparent poll, also demanded the immediate investigation of the threats issued by the lawmaker.

Nigerians and, in fact, the entire civilised world, received with tremendous shock the statement made by Senator Francis Fadahunsi in a viral video where he said, “So, we have come to tell you, up till the day of the election, if we see them, it is killing.”

“This statement, though uncivilised and appalling, is not strange, coming from the All Progressives Congress, whose Presidential candidate has been quoted as saying ‘Political power is not going to be served in a restaurant… At all costs, fight for it, grab it, and run with it’ and that ‘all is fair in politics,” the National Publicity Secretary, Comrade Ini Ememobong, stated on behalf of the INWC.

The party blamed the development on the ruling APC, noting that such utterances reduce the confidence of the opposition and other participants in the democratic process.

“These and many more hurtful rhetorics have been deployed by the ruling party unapologetically, and this has raised the political temperature of the country to unprecedented fever-pitch levels”, the INWC said.

We don’t indulge in false alarm- APC, says security agencies, INEC doing their best

However, the APC has said it has no reason to cast aspersions on the electoral umpire, the Independent National Electoral Commission, or security agencies.

Director of Publicity of the party, Honourable Bala Ibrahim, made the remarks on Thursday in a telephone interview with Nigerian Tribune.

Ibrahim told Nigerian Tribune that while the process would not bone e hundred percent error-free, it would be uncharitable for any stakeholder to start demonising security agencies or the electoral umpire.

He said: You are asking whether we have our fears? As pacesetter and as ruling party, we aren’t supposed to come out crying.

«We have put in our best, and we are expecting the best. In any electoral process, we don’t expect one hundred percent error- free.

“We believe the security agencies, the INEC, and every stakeholder are doing their best. 

“In any situation where you have public opinion, there is a likelihood of some people being dissatisfied. That’s not to say that those involved aren’t putting in their best.”

The APC Director of Publicity dismissed insinuations of intimidation and arm-twisting of the Accord Party candidate and incumbent Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke.

He cited the Osun State Police Command’s invitation of APC Senator representing Osun East, Francis Fadahunsi, over alleged incendiary remarks as evidence of security agencies’ neutrality.

Fear of voter apathy spreads over political violence.

In another report, the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that residents of Osun State have expressed concern over the increasing political violence and killings ahead of Saturday’s governorship election in the state, saying the development could affect the outcome of the poll.

Some residents who spoke with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Wednesday also expressed concern over whether the election would be peaceful and free from any form of inconclusiveness or cancellation.

A resident, Mr Seun Akinboboye, a civil servant, said the political tension and killings ahead of the election might scare voters away from exercising their franchise.

Akinboboye urged political actors contesting the governorship election to ensure that their supporters play by the rules to avoid any form of violence.

He also appealed to security agencies to provide adequate security for voters on Election Day to enable them to perform their civic responsibility.

Similarly, Mrs Demilola Olasunkanmi, a business owner, said the rate at which political thugs were heating the polity demanded urgent attention, adding that security must be beefed up during and after the election.

Olasunkanmi stated that security personnel should allow only essential workers on duty to move around during the election to ensure the safety of voters.

She urged residents to be careful and vigilant to prevent any unforeseen situation that might arise during and after the election.

Another resident, Mrs Elizabeth Oluwatoyin, decried the political violence in the state, saying she and her family feared for their safety and would not go out to vote.

She said, “All these politicians are the same. It is always about their selfish interest and enriching themselves and their families. I will not, because of the election, let them kill me. They have been killing each other for the past two to three months”.

Similarly, Mr Ajeniwura Adeoye, an elderly resident, said the level of intimidation and violence ahead of the election could discourage many people from coming out to vote.

He, however, said he was determined to ensure that his vote counted.

“Look at me, I am almost 70 years old, and I have been voting since 1979. I cannot be intimidated at my age and prevented from coming out now to vote for the candidate I want.

“I know the killings and shootings are intended to discourage people from coming out to vote.

“I know a lot of people will be concerned about their safety, but I will just admonish them to come out and exercise their franchise to choose who they want to govern the state,” he said.

A businesswoman, Mrs Ronke Ajibade, said she expects to see a peaceful election devoid of bloodshed and killings.

Ajibade said she was eager to vote on Election Day if the security situation in the state remained calm.

She appealed to candidates and their political parties to play by the rules and shun all forms of violence.

NAN reports that there have been a series of killings in the state ahead of the election, with political parties trading accusations and counter-accusations.