Barely five days to the August 15 governorship election in Osun State, growing political tension, alleged killings, arrests and clashes among rival political interests have raised fresh concerns over the safety and credibility of the poll.
Figures cited by political groups and community leaders indicate that at least 14 persons are feared to have lost their lives in separate incidents allegedly linked to political violence since campaigns for the election intensified.
However, the figures could not be independently verified as investigations into some of the reported incidents were still ongoing as of Monday.
The development has heightened anxiety among residents, political parties, civil society organisations and other stakeholders, with calls mounting on security agencies and political leaders to prevent further escalation before election day.
Speaking during the signing of a peace accord ahead of the election, Governor Ademola Adeleke alleged that eight members of the Accord Party had been killed in the last three months, while more than 20 others sustained gunshot injuries.
Adeleke also accused the police of failing to take decisive action against alleged perpetrators of the attacks, while alleging that members and supporters of his party had been subjected to intimidation.
“Our gathering is to endorse peace, but my people and government are facing police-sanctioned intimidation. War is being waged actively against my people by the Osun APC, openly supported by the Osun State Police Command,” the governor alleged.
He further said, “In the last three months, we have lost eight party members with more than 20 injured in gun attacks. There is no single prosecution or active arrest to date.
“The perpetrators are known Osun APC thugs who committed crimes in the presence of the police. Video evidence is everywhere on the internet.”
Adeleke also alleged that more than 60 Accord leaders had been arrested and taken to Abuja and Nasarawa State, describing the development as part of what he called a campaign of intimidation against his political supporters.
The governor's allegations have, however, been rejected by the police, which has maintained that its operations are guided by intelligence, available evidence and ongoing criminal investigations rather than political considerations.
The police have also repeatedly denied allegations of partisanship, insisting that any person found to have committed an offence would be subjected to due process irrespective of political affiliation.
Meanwhile, the opposition All Progressives Congress (APC) has intensified its mobilisation across the state as the party seeks to regain control of Osun.
The party has continued to hold campaign activities, consultations and strategic engagements in key communities and voting areas, with its leaders urging supporters to remain focused on the election.
The ruling Accord Party has equally intensified its grassroots mobilisation, with both camps stepping up efforts to secure support ahead of the poll.
The heightened political contest has coincided with renewed tension surrounding the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), further complicating the security situation in the state.
The Osun State Government had suspended activities of the union at motor parks as part of measures aimed at restoring order. However, the national leadership of the NURTW rejected the directive and announced a caretaker leadership for the union's state chapter.
The intervention of the NURTW National President, Musiliu Akinsanya, popularly known as MC Oluomo, has subsequently generated controversy, particularly following his declaration that no state government had the constitutional authority to suspend the activities of the union.
The development has sparked fresh concerns among stakeholders, given the historical involvement of transport unions in grassroots mobilisation and political activities during election periods.
There have also been reports of clashes involving rival NURTW factions in Osogbo and other parts of the state, prompting increased security presence in identified flashpoints.
Several arrests have been made by security agencies, while some suspects have reportedly been declared wanted in connection with violent incidents.
The Inspector-General of Police has also directed personnel deployed for elections to deal decisively with political thuggery and other acts capable of undermining the electoral process.
Despite the measures, political analysts and civil society stakeholders have expressed concern that the combination of heightened political rivalry, alleged attacks, arrests and the NURTW dispute could further aggravate tension ahead of the election.
They warned that continued violence could undermine public confidence, discourage voters from turning out and create an atmosphere capable of affecting the peaceful conduct of the poll.
The stakeholders called on political parties and their supporters to abide by the peace agreement and allow security and electoral authorities to perform their constitutional responsibilities without interference.
They also urged the police and other security agencies to ensure that arrests, investigations and prosecutions are conducted transparently and without political bias in order to restore confidence among competing parties.
With campaigns entering their final days, attention is increasingly focused on security arrangements across the state, particularly in areas identified as potential flashpoints.
Political leaders, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), security agencies, traditional rulers and civil society organisations are expected to intensify engagements aimed at preventing further violence before, during and after the election.
For many residents, the overriding expectation is that the August 15 governorship election will be determined by the ballot and not by violence, intimidation or fear.
