Osun Guber: Stakeholders renew commitment to peaceful election process

The Osun State Government, the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, and the Kimpact Development Initiative, KDI, have renewed calls for peaceful, credible and violence-free conduct of the August 15 governorship election, urging political actors and voters to uphold the rule of law and democratic values throughout the electoral process.

These observations were made during the Osun 2026 Election Peace and Security Summit on Monday in Osogbo.

Governor Ademola Adeleke, represented by the Commissioner for Special Duties, Biyi Odunlade, said his administration remained resolute in upholding the rule of law and had exercised “the highest level of restraint” despite perceived political provocations.

He assured that “the government would continue providing the necessary support to security agencies. We call on all political parties to conduct their activities with decorum. Political contest must not translate to bloodshed. We urge residents to reject violence and embrace dialogue.”

Representing the INEC Chairman, Professor Joash Amupitan, Professor Kunle Ajayi assured stakeholders that the Osun governorship election would be conclusive, free and fair.

He said the commission was determined to ensure that the will of the electorate prevailed, appealed to traditional rulers to mobilise eligible voters and urged the state’s youth population to participate actively, while assuring that adequate security would be deployed for the election.

Osun Resident Electoral Commissioner, Oluwatoyin Babalola, said peaceful elections do not happen by chance but through deliberate planning and collaboration among stakeholders.

She said the success of the election depended on cooperation between INEC, security agencies, political parties and voters, stressing that the process must reflect the genuine will of the people of Osun State.

Babalola disclosed that “INEC has trained its personnel, deployed advanced election risk management technology and identified flashpoints and difficult terrains across the state. The commission has also engaged traditional rulers, youth leaders, persons with disabilities and security agencies through the Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security, ICCES, to strengthen preparations for the poll.”

She added that ten of the 13 scheduled election activities had been completed, including the presentation of the voters’ register to political parties.

According to her, “3,753 Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) devices will be deployed for voter accreditation and voting, while discussions with transport unions and the Federal Road Safety Corps are ongoing to ensure efficient logistics.”

The REC warned that vote buying and vote selling remain offences under the Electoral Act, noting that “the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) would monitor compliance.”

She urged political parties to educate supporters on issue-based campaigns and avoid hate speech, misinformation and actions capable of inciting violence.

Executive Director of Kimpact Development Initiative, KDI, Bukola Idowu, disclosed that the organisation had recorded 56 election-related violent incidents in Osun, including 23 in Osogbo, with 14 fatalities, nine of them in the state capital.

He described the summit as “an appeal and a warning that Osun must choose democracy without violence and elections were meant to count ballots and not bodies.”

Idowu said no credible election could be built on fear, noting that election violence changes voter behaviour and weakens democratic participation.

He urged youths not to allow themselves to be used for violence, stressing that peace strategies must be deliberate and statewide to prevent electoral conflict.

The Orangun of Oke-Ila, Oba Adedokun Abolarin, called for greater political tolerance, saying politics should be centred on ideas, service and improving the lives of citizens rather than bitterness and destruction.

He urged political stakeholders to learn from past experiences and ensure that future elections strengthened democracy.

Representing the Ooni of Ife, Oba Akinkunle Adebowale appealed for peace and warned against actions capable of disrupting the election, including the destruction of campaign materials.

Deputy Inspector-General of Police in charge of Operations, DIG, Umar Nadada also warned that security agencies would not tolerate electoral violence, vote buying or any act capable of undermining the election, regardless of those involved.

Representatives of the Nigerian Army, the Christian Association of Nigeria, the Muslim community, traditional religion practitioners and political parties, including the All Progressives Congress, APC, and the African Democratic Congress, ADC, also pledged support for a peaceful electoral process, urging all stakeholders to work together to ensure that the August 15 Osun governorship election is peaceful, credible and reflects the will of the electorates.