Osun election: Tension as 73 election violence incidents recorded in southwest state

Ahead of the governorship election scheduled for August 15, 2026, Osun State is grappling with a troubling rise in election-related violence, with a report documenting at least 73 incidents from October 2025 to July 2026. The findings, released by the Kimpact Development Initiative (KDI) on August 10, reveal that this violence has resulted in 12 fatalities across 14 local government areas.

The report indicates that Osogbo, the state capital, has been the most affected area, accounting for 41 percent of all recorded incidents, with 27 incidents and three deaths reported. Following Osogbo, Ede South emerged as another critical area, with six incidents documented. Other local government areas, such as Olorunda, reported five incidents and two deaths.

As the election campaigns intensified, particularly between May and July 2026, the KDI report noted a significant spike in violence, with 54 incidents occurring during this period alone. The types of violence reported include shootings, intimidation, physical assaults, kidnappings, and property destruction, with political rivalry identified as the primary driver behind these acts rather than typical criminal behavior.

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has characterized the atmosphere in Osun as tense and volatile. INEC's Director of Voter Education and Publicity, Victoria Eta-Messi, stated that the commission is collaborating with security agencies to ensure safety during the elections. She mentioned that the military will provide support in high-risk areas, while the police have implemented a security lockdown across the state, deploying over 15,000 officers, including 30 Commissioners of Police and aerial surveillance units.

Concerns about police neutrality and response times have been raised by citizens on social media, particularly regarding the effectiveness of law enforcement in managing election-related incidents. The Nigeria Police Force has also established emergency hotlines for the public to report threats and misconduct during the electoral period.

With the election just days away, the situation in Osun State remains precarious, as stakeholders and citizens alike hope for a peaceful electoral process amidst the prevailing tensions.

Sources