Fear has gripped parts of Osun State ahead of the August 15 governorship election, with residents avoiding party-branded caps, shirts and other political symbols over fears of violence.
The development follows a series of politically linked killings across the state. The Nigeria Police Force has put the number of politically motivated deaths at 30. The election will feature incumbent Governor Ademola Adeleke of the Accord Party, APC candidate Bola Oyebamiji and African Democratic Party candidate Najeem Salaam.
Residents fear political attacks
Residents in some communities now avoid openly identifying with political parties. Many fear that wearing party colours could make them targets or cause rival groups to mistake them for political supporters. The situation has also raised concerns over the growing role of cult groups in political violence. Chairman of the Osun State Civil Societies Coalition, Waheed Lawal, said political and cult-related killings had become difficult to separate.
“There is tension and people are currently afraid because of the violence here and there, and because of what the security agencies are doing, especially the police. People have lost confidence in them.
“Some of the violence is cult-related, but you can hardly differentiate between political and cult killings now because these cultists have integrated themselves into politics. Some belong to the ruling party, while others belong to the Accord Party.
“The political actors are trying to create an atmosphere where people will be afraid to come out and vote, but people are now determined to vote,” Lawal said.
Police increase security
The Inspector-General of Police, Tunji Disu, announced that at least four police officers would serve at each polling unit across Osun State. Disu described the deployment as one of the largest security operations in the state. Security agencies will work to prevent violence before and during the election.
However, the heavy security presence has not completely eased residents’ fears. The arrival of political figures and governors with large convoys has also added to the tension in some areas. The Executive Director of the Socio-Economic and Civic Rights Advocacy, Emmanuel Olowu, blamed the situation on the desperation of political actors to win power.
“There is tension; people are afraid, and the political attacks have not stopped. People are being killed, and the police are perceived to be biased. We hope the police will be able to restore people’s confidence by acting professionally and maintaining neutrality,” he said.
Groups demand peaceful poll
The Executive Director of the World Institute for Peace, Lamina Kamiludeen, said at least 14 people had lost their lives between January and August. He warned that the violence could continue after the election if authorities fail to tackle cultism and political thuggery.
“Politicians should refrain from sponsoring political thugs. They are the ones causing violence without considering the future implications of their actions. Political thuggery has become a menace in Osun,” he said.
Kamiludeen, however, said tension had reduced compared with previous weeks. He urged security agencies to remain alert and maintain neutrality throughout the election period. Meanwhile, Accord Party Chairman in Osun, Pastor Victor Akande, called on residents to remain calm. He expressed confidence that the deployment of more security personnel would help restore normalcy before election day.
APC dismisses tension reports
The APC Director of Media and Publicity in Osun, Kola Olabisi, dismissed reports of tension within the party. He said the party remained confident in the ability of the police to maintain peace during the election.
“There’s no tension in our party. Oyebamiji has been carrying his campaign train to all the nooks and crannies of the state, where his supporters and members of the party lean round him as ants do to sugar, to show you the level of his popularity,” Olabisi said.
He also accused rival political groups of promoting violence because of fears of losing the election.
Osun records political killings
Several politically linked killings have occurred across Osun in recent months. In January, thugs allegedly working for the Accord Party killed APC supporter and former National Union of Road Transport Workers unit chairman, Kazeem Oyewole, in Osogbo.
On June 9, gunmen killed two people in Akoda and Owode-Ede. Both victims were reportedly members of the Accord Party. A 14-year-old boy, Ezekiel Olapade, also died in Ilobu on June 21 after a bullet reportedly meant for a man wearing an Accord Party face cap struck him.
Gunmen later killed APC member Taofeeq Mustapha on June 27. Reports said the attackers targeted him because he wore a cap bearing the inscription “AMBO.” A report by Kimpact Development Initiative recorded 56 election-related violent incidents in Osun over the past 12 months. The incidents resulted in 14 deaths.
With the police putting politically motivated killings at 30, security remains one of the biggest concerns ahead of the August 15 governorship election.
Read also: Osun Election: Army Orders Troops To Stay Away From Polling Units
