Osun 2026: Residents fear voter apathy over rising political violence

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 lead to voter apathy.

Some residents expressed the fear when they spoke with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Wednesday in the state.

They also expressed concern over whether the election would be peaceful and free from any form of inconclusiveness or cancellation.

A resident, 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 played 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, Demilola Olasunkanmi, a business owner, said the rate at which political thugs were heating up 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, 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.

Oluwatoyin 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.

“I have told my daughter to be careful and not discuss politics anywhere, so they don’t turn her into their target.

“Likewise, I have appealed to my husband not to risk his life for any politician because, at the end of the day, the politicians will reconcile.

“As the whole thing is going, I don’t think anybody from my family will go out and vote in this coming governorship election.”

Similarly, 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.

Adeoye said: “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.

“The police have given assurances that they will provide security, so people should trust the police and come out to vote.”

Adeoye, however, admonished the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to be an unbiased umpire, while calling on security agencies to provide adequate security for voters on Election Day.