Osun Records 26 Election-related Violence Incidents Ahead of Governorship Election — Report

…As KDI calls on stakeholders to take urgent steps to de-escalate political tension, protect electoral process in Osun

No fewer than 26 cases of election-related violence have been recorded within two months ahead of the Osun State governorship election scheduled for August 15, according to a report.

The Executive Director, Kimpact Development Initiative (KDI), Bukola Idowu said the group has documented 44 election-related violent incidents across Osun State between October 2025 and June 2026.

Idowu stated this on Thursday while speaking with newsmen in Osogbo, Osun state capital, said that twenty-six (26) of the 44 verified election-related incidents during the monitoring period occurred in May and June 2026 alone representing 59.1% of all verified election-related violence.

He called on stakeholders in the state to take urgent, visible, and coordinated steps to de-escalate political tension and protect the credibility of the electoral process in Osun.

Idowu urged the Independent Electoral Commission INEC to sustain transparency and confidence-building as the state approaches gubernatorial election in the state.

According to him, “No political ambition, party interest, or electoral calculation is worth the life, dignity, safety, or peace of any citizen.

“What KDI’s Monitoring and Election Security Risk Assessment (ESRA) Data Show Through its ongoing pre-election observation and violence monitoring activities, KDI has documented 44 election-related violent incidents across Osun State between October 2025 and June 2026.

“These incidents have resulted in 13 recorded fatalities, multiple injuries, destruction of property, and heightened fear among residents. KDI also documented 24 non-election-related violent incidents during the same period, resulting in 23 fatalities, underscoring that the election is unfolding within a broader security environment that requires careful management.
Particularly concerning is the pace of escalation of electoral violence.

“Osun State has a proud civic and democratic heritage. That heritage must not be damaged by political desperation, preventable violence, or impunity. The 2026 Governorship Election should be remembered for peaceful participation, credible competition, informed citizen choice, and the collective maturity of stakeholders, not for bloodshed, intimidation, and fear.

“We urges every political leader to speak peace, organise peacefully, campaign responsibly, and restrain supporters. We urge security agencies to act early, fairly, and firmly.

“We urge INEC to sustain transparency and confidence-building. We urge citizens to reject violence and protect the democratic space. We urge the media to inform, not inflame. We urge traditional, religious, women, and youth leaders to continue to serve as voices of calm and conscience.

“The lives of Osun citizens matter. The credibility of the election matters. The peace of communities matters. The future of democracy in Nigeria depends not only on election-day procedures but also on whether citizens can approach the ballot without fear. KDI remains committed to supporting peaceful, credible, inclusive, and secure elections in sun State and across Nigeria,” he said.