Reported by Musa Antiketu,| Journalist at Obaland magazine.

The Committee for the Defence of Human Rights (CDHR) has renewed calls for peaceful political conduct ahead of the August 15, 2026 Osun State governorship election, warning political actors and their supporters against turning the contest for power into a struggle marked by violence and loss of lives.

The warning comes amid growing concerns over political tension and reported incidents of violence in parts of the state as candidates and political parties intensify their campaigns ahead of the poll.

The CDHR has consistently advocated for a peaceful and credible electoral process in Osun, particularly as political competition intensifies. In April, the organisation expressed concern over the redeployment of Osun State Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Mutiu Agboke, urging the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to ensure that its decisions do not undermine public confidence in the electoral process.

The rights organisation argued that while INEC has the administrative authority to deploy and redeploy electoral officials, the timing and circumstances of such decisions can influence public perception and trust in the neutrality of the electoral umpire.

The latest warning comes against the backdrop of broader concerns over political violence in Osun. Reports have highlighted allegations of attacks, intimidation and growing hostility among supporters of rival political camps ahead of the election.

The Eagle Online reported in June that APC governorship candidate Bola Oyebamiji condemned the rising political violence and similarly stressed that no political office should be pursued at the expense of human life. He urged politicians and their supporters to embrace peaceful democratic competition.

Peoples Gazette, reporting through the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), also quoted Oyebamiji as saying that democracy should be based on ideas, vision and service rather than violence, while warning that no electoral victory could justify violence against citizens.

The concerns have also extended beyond political parties. The Osun Citizens’ Situation Room recently called for stronger measures to address electoral violence, including mobile election courts and increased international scrutiny of the August 15 poll. The group warned that intimidation, hate rhetoric, disinformation and attacks on electoral officials could undermine the credibility of the election.

The seriousness of the situation was further underscored by comments from the Ooni of Ife, Oba Enitan Ogunwusi, and INEC Chairman, Professor Joash Amupitan. Both expressed concern over the political atmosphere in Osun and called on political actors to prioritise peace.

The INEC chairman specifically appealed to politicians to avoid treating the election as a “do or die” affair, stressing that an election should be about ideas and ideology rather than rancour and violence.

For Obaland magazine, the central issue goes beyond which political party eventually emerges victorious. The fundamental question is whether Osun can conduct an election in which citizens are able to exercise their constitutional right to vote without intimidation, violence or fear.

Political office is temporary, while the consequences of electoral violence can be permanent. A governorship tenure lasts a defined number of years, but a life lost during political confrontation cannot be restored.

The responsibility for preventing violence therefore rests not only with security agencies and electoral authorities but also with political parties, candidates, campaign organisations and individual supporters. Political leaders who command significant influence have a particular responsibility to restrain their followers, reject inflammatory rhetoric and respect the rules of democratic competition.

Security agencies must equally remain professional, impartial and accountable in responding to threats before, during and after the election. Citizens should not be treated as political weapons, while suspected perpetrators of electoral violence should be investigated and prosecuted in accordance with Nigerian law.

The 2026 Osun governorship election is also significant beyond the state itself. As one of Nigeria’s major off-cycle elections before the 2027 general elections, its conduct will be closely watched as an indicator of the country’s democratic preparedness.

INEC has said the election will involve more than 2.3 million registered voters across 3,763 polling units, 332 registration areas and 30 local government areas, with the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) deployed for voter accreditation.

That scale makes peaceful participation particularly important. Political disagreements are inevitable in a competitive democracy, but violence is neither an electoral strategy nor a substitute for public support.

Osun voters ultimately hold the power to determine their next governor through the ballot. Political parties may mobilise, candidates may campaign and supporters may defend their preferred choices, but the final decision belongs to the electorate.

The message from rights groups and other stakeholders is therefore straightforward: political ambition must never become a justification for bloodshed.

As the August 15 election approaches, the priority should be to protect lives, preserve the integrity of the electoral process and ensure that Osun’s democratic choice is determined by votes rather than violence.

Sources

• The Guardian Nigeria
• Premium Times
• The Independent Nigeria
• The Eagle Online
• Arise News

The Nation

CDHR warns Osun politicians against election violence ahead of the August 15, 2026 governorship poll, stressing that no political office is worth human blood.