Osun Decides 2026: As Polls Near, Violence Fears and Political Claims Heighten Tension
 |
| Osun Decides 2026: Ademola Adeleke, Bola Oyebamiji and Najeem Salaam headline the race for Osun governorship |
Two days before Osun voters decide who will occupy the Government House, concerns over political violence, disputed allegations and an internal crisis within the Accord Party are adding to the tension surrounding Saturday’s governorship election.
The election, scheduled for August 15, is expected to pit incumbent Governor Ademola Adeleke of Accord against the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate, Bola Oyebamiji, and the African Democratic Congress (ADC) candidate, Najeem Salaam, among other contenders.
But beyond the battle for votes, concerns about the safety of voters, party supporters and residents have become a major issue as the state approaches election day.
Kimpact Development Initiative (KDI), which has been monitoring election-related violence in Osun, reported in July that the state recorded 56 such incidents over the preceding 12 months, with 14 fatalities linked to the violence.
The organisation said 36 of those incidents occurred in May and June as political activities intensified.
An earlier KDI assessment had recorded 44 election-related violent incidents between October 2025 and June 2026, resulting in 13 deaths.
The figures have heightened concerns about the political environment in which the election will take place.
 |
| Tap the graphic for enquiries and bookings |
The “kill Accord” controversy
One of the most contentious issues in the final days of the campaign followed remarks attributed to Senator Francis Fadahunsi, the APC senator representing Osun East.
In a video that circulated publicly, Fadahunsi was heard using the phrase “kill Accord” while addressing supporters.
The remark prompted a police investigation after Accord supporters interpreted it as a threat against members of the party.
Fadahunsi rejected that interpretation, saying he was referring to defeating Accord politically rather than physically harming its members.
The controversy has nevertheless remained politically sensitive, particularly against the background of documented election-related violence in the state.
Campaign rhetoric takes on added significance when political tensions are already high and previous clashes have resulted in deaths.
 |
| Tap the graphic for enquiries and bookings |
Fresh killings add to anxiety
Reports of fresh killings in parts of Osun have further raised concern.
The death of Dele Ayegbo in Esa-Oke has generated competing political reactions, including calls for an investigation from the Adeleke campaign camp.
There have also been allegations concerning attacks involving Accord supporters in Ilesa.
However, the circumstances surrounding such incidents require careful verification.
Where political parties make competing claims about attacks or killings, the allegations cannot on their own establish who was responsible. The identities of victims, circumstances surrounding their deaths and responsibility for any attacks should be established by the relevant authorities.
That distinction is particularly important in an election where competing narratives can quickly spread among supporters.
 |
| Tap the graphic for enquiries and bookings |
Dispute over who speaks for Accord
Another issue adding to the uncertainty is a dispute over the leadership of the Accord Party.
Reports emerged that Christopher Imumolen announced support for APC candidate Bola Oyebamiji in Osogbo.
The Accord leadership led by Maxwell Mgbudem rejected Imumolen’s authority to make such a declaration, saying he had been expelled from the party and no longer represented its national leadership.
The disagreement is part of a longer-running dispute over the party’s national leadership.
Mgbudem had previously said Imumolen was expelled from Accord in November 2024. Imumolen and his supporters, however, have continued to challenge the leadership structure.
For voters, the dispute can create confusion when rival factions claim authority over the same party.
For the election itself, however, the relevant question is which candidate and party are recognised for the poll.
INEC’s published list identifies Adeleke as Accord’s candidate, Oyebamiji as the APC candidate and Najeem Salaam as the ADC candidate among the governorship contenders.
 |
| Click on the graphic to follow us |
Adeleke's claims of federal interference
Adeleke has also repeatedly accused his political opponents of seeking to use federal influence against his re-election.
The governor has alleged that federal institutions could be deployed to undermine his administration and supporters.
The APC has rejected the accusations.
Such claims remain allegations unless supported by evidence.
That distinction matters in an election because repeated claims of interference or planned violence can shape how supporters perceive the credibility and safety of the process.
Where evidence exists, the appropriate authorities should investigate it. Where there is none, political actors also have a responsibility not to fuel unnecessary fear.
A history that continues to worry residents
The concern over election violence did not begin in the final days of the campaign.
KDI’s June assessment recorded 44 election-related violent incidents between October 2025 and June 2026, with 13 deaths. The Nigeria Union of Journalists, Osun State Council, subsequently condemned reported cases of killings, intimidation and destruction of property ahead of the election.
By July, KDI had revised its assessment to 56 incidents and 14 fatalities over the preceding 12 months.
The organisation said Osogbo accounted for a significant proportion of the incidents and fatalities.
Behind those figures are victims and families affected by political violence.
The responsibility for preventing further violence therefore extends beyond security agencies and electoral officials. Political parties and their candidates also have a role in how supporters respond to provocation and political disagreements.
 |
| For Sponsorship, Kindly Click On The Graphic |
More than a contest between candidates
For months, much of the attention surrounding the election has focused on Adeleke, Oyebamiji and Salaam.
Adeleke is seeking another term after moving from the Peoples Democratic Party to Accord. He emerged as Accord’s governorship candidate after the party’s primary in December 2025.
Oyebamiji is seeking to return the APC to power in Osun, while Salaam is contesting under the ADC platform.
But the final decision belongs to the voters who will turn up at polling units on Saturday.
The election will not be decided by campaign crowds or arguments on social media. It will be decided by ballots cast and counted through the electoral process.
That makes the conduct of voters, political actors and security personnel particularly important as the state approaches polling day.
Political disagreements will continue after the election. Candidates will win or lose, alliances will change and politicians who oppose each other today may eventually find themselves on the same side.
But a life lost to election violence cannot be recovered.
As Osun prepares to vote, voters will have to resist provocation and follow the instructions of electoral and security officials. Political leaders, meanwhile, have the influence to either heighten tension or help bring it down.
On Saturday, the people of Osun will choose their next governor.
The outcome will determine the state's political leadership. But another question will be answered as well: whether the state can complete the electoral process without more lives being lost to political rivalry.
Comments