Osun Guber Showdown: Parties Clash, Police Accused Amidst Election Frenzy

As Osun State gears up for the August 15 governorship election, political tensions are notably high, prompting calls for peace and transparency from various stakeholders. The National Peace Committee held a critical stakeholders' meeting in Osogbo, addressing concerns about escalating political violence and ensuring a credible electoral process. Governor Ademola Adeleke of Osun State voiced serious allegations during the meeting, claiming that members of the Accord Party arrested by the Osun State Police Command were unlawfully transferred to Abuja and Nasarawa State for detention, rather than being prosecuted within Osun. He questioned this transfer, asserting that both Federal and State High Courts in Osun were fully competent to handle such criminal cases. Adeleke appealed to the National Peace Committee to intervene with the Inspector-General of Police, demanding the return of these detainees to Osun if they are to face trial. Furthermore, the governor urged the committee to engage President Bola Tinubu on the urgent need to halt the increasing political violence in the state. He alleged a collaboration between the Osun State Police Command and the opposition All Progressives Congress (APC) in targeting Accord Party leaders and members, citing numerous instances of alleged killings, injuries, and arrests followed by out-of-state transfers over the past three months. Governor Adeleke called for neutrality from the police, commending other security agencies for their professionalism, and reaffirmed his administration's commitment to peace and the rule of law, noting Accord Party supporters' restraint from retaliation. He emphasized the people's right to a peaceful, credible, and transparent election reflecting the electorate's will and urged all stakeholders, including security agencies and INEC, to ensure a level playing field.

The National Peace Committee meeting saw the presence of distinguished personalities, including former Head of State Gen. Abdulsalami Abubakar (represented by Lt.-Gen. Martin Luther Agwai retd.), Bishop Matthew Kukah, Cardinal John Onaiyekan, traditional rulers, security chiefs, political leaders, and civil society organizations. Governor Adeleke reiterated that despite the committee’s previous efforts, political violence persisted, necessitating immediate intervention to safeguard the electoral process. Echoing the calls for peace, the Ooni of Ife, Oba Enitan Ogunwusi, implored political actors in Osun State to abandon violence, stressing that "Osun is bigger than all of us" and the people should determine the election's outcome. The monarch lauded the Chairman of INEC, Prof. Joash Amupitan, SAN, for his steadfastness and commitment to electoral independence, and Bishop Matthew Hassan Kukah for his nationwide peace initiatives. The Ooni noted President Bola Tinubu's recent affirmation of INEC's independence and provision of necessary resources, asserting that "the ball is in our hands because power belongs to us." He warned against inciting violence, attributing the high political tension to the election's proximity to the 2027 general elections.

Prof. Joash Amupitan, SAN, Chairman of INEC, assured political parties and voters of the commission's full preparedness for the August 15 election, issuing a stern warning against violence, voter intimidation, and vote buying. Speaking at the Peace Accord signing ceremony in Osogbo, Amupitan revealed that seven of INEC’s nine election timetable activities had been successfully completed, with only the end of campaigns on August 13 and the election itself remaining. He announced that 2,339,233 eligible voters would participate across 3,763 polling units in the state’s 30 local government areas and the Modakeke Area Office. Expressing concern over recent reports of political violence, the INEC chairman highlighted insecurity as a severe threat to election credibility. He detailed intelligence-driven security measures adopted in collaboration with the Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security (ICCES), the Police, and other security agencies to protect voters, personnel, and materials. Addressing incidents of stolen Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) in Okuku and Ife Central, Amupitan clarified that these cards could not be used for voting due to exclusive biometric verification via the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS). He confirmed that stolen cards would be blacklisted, and affected voters would receive replacements or digital verification. INEC has deployed 4,427 BVAS devices, including backups, ensuring no manual accreditation. Results from all polling units will be promptly uploaded to the INEC Result Viewing Portal (IReV) for transparency. A statewide mock accreditation exercise is scheduled for August 1 in 12 selected LGAs to test technology and logistics, inviting stakeholders to monitor. Amupitan warned against hate speech and armed groups, stressing that leadership obtained through bloodshed or intimidation is unacceptable. He also disclosed that security agencies, EFCC, and ICPC operatives would monitor polling units to arrest those involved in vote buying or selling, urging adherence to the Peace Accord for a credible and lawful electoral process and peaceful participation from the people.

Amidst these calls for peace, political campaigns and endorsements are actively underway. The Ikire Progressive Union (IPU) has publicly endorsed the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate, Munirudeen Bola Oyebamiji, for the August 15, 2026 Osun State governorship election. Following a joint meeting of its Executive Council and Elders’ Forum, the union resolved to mobilize support for Oyebamiji, who is also the Asiwaju of Ikire Kingdom. In a statement by Dr. Ademola Akinromade (president) and Michael Omoloye (General Secretary), the IPU cited community identity and collective aspirations as significant factors, noting that Ikire people have historically supported candidates from other towns and now seek reciprocal support for their "illustrious son." The IPU lauded Oyebamiji's record as a finance expert, entrepreneur, administrator, and public servant, asserting his competence to lead Osun State. While affirming its non-partisan socio-cultural stance, the IPU explained its endorsement stems from its commitment to Ikire Kingdom's advancement and its people's legitimate aspirations, as Oyebamiji is the sole candidate from Ikire. The union appealed for peace, law-abiding conduct, and unity among stakeholders.

Conversely, the Osun State chapter of the Accord Party heavily criticized Oyebamiji’s absence from the Peace Accord signing ceremony, describing it as a disappointing indication of the APC’s commitment to peaceful electioneering. Pastor Victor Babalola Akande, Accord State Chairman, alleged that the APC’s deputy governorship candidate arrived late, diminishing the event’s significance and reinforcing concerns about the party’s campaign conduct. Akande emphasized that no political engagement should have taken precedence over the Peace Accord, which aimed to secure a public commitment from candidates and parties to a peaceful, credible, and violence-free election. He highlighted the presence of eminent personalities at the ceremony, advocating for responsible conduct. Akande commended Governor Ademola Adeleke for his personal attendance, along with other state officials and party leaders, as a demonstration of the administration's commitment to peaceful elections. The Accord Party reaffirmed its adherence to the Peace Accord, urging all political stakeholders to campaign peacefully and respect the rule of law. Meanwhile, the Oluwo of Iwo, Oba Abdulrosheed Adewale Akanbi, offered prayers and royal blessings for Oyebamiji during an APC campaign rally in Iwo, expressing confidence in his success. Oyebamiji, addressing supporters, pledged to resolve the long-standing boundary dispute between communities in Osun and Oyo States, complete ongoing road projects in Iwo, ensure fair compensation for affected property owners, and rehabilitate local access roads, promising minimal disruption.