Security Concerns and Political Tension Mount Ahead of Osun Governorship Election

Residents of Osun State are preparing to vote on August 15 to elect a governor for the next four years. The race features 15 cleared candidates, with the primary contenders being Governor Ademola Adeleke of the Accord Party, Bola Oyebamiji of the All Progressives Congress (APC), and Najeem Salaam of the African Democratic Congress (ADC). The PDP is not fielding a candidate due to a national leadership crisis.

Security has become a central issue as the Inspector General of Police, Olatunji Disu, deployed Deputy Inspector General Ishyaku Mohammed to coordinate operations. The police have banned armed escorts and state security outfits from election duties. However, this security posture has drawn criticism. Atiku Abubakar, the ADC presidential candidate, warned against the militarization of the poll, stating that the deployment appeared more suited to a military operation than a democratic exercise. Similarly, the Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC) questioned the deployment of armed military personnel to the INEC office.

Reports of violence have increased leading up to the vote. CISLAC highlighted several killings, including that of 14 year old Ezekiel Olapade, and raised alarms over vote buying and the recruitment of political thugs. The Accord Party has petitioned the European Union and ECOWAS for intervention, claiming that at least 29 fatalities have occurred and over 60 of its members have been detained. The party also alleged the weaponization of state power, citing the temporary freezing of government bank accounts by the EFCC.

Political analysts note that the contest is complicated by disputes over local government control. While the state government previously dissolved councils, courts later restored APC chairpersons to office. Additionally, a faction of the transport union sympathetic to the APC recently took control of motor parks, which may influence the movement of election materials and the presence of enforcers on election day.