Dr. Abiola Akiyode-Afolabi, an Associate Professor of Law and former Chairperson of the Transition Monitoring Group, has signaled alarm regarding the escalating political instability surrounding the August 15 Osun State governorship race. She cautioned that this climate threatens both the legitimacy of the outcome and overall faith in the Nigerian democratic system.
During a Thursday address, the legal expert urged political entities, candidates, INEC, and law enforcement to prioritize peace and transparency. Drawing on her expertise in election monitoring, she identified current events in Osun as clear precursors to electoral volatility. She highlighted reports indicating that over 20 individuals have already died in politically motivated incidents.
Akiyode-Afolabi pointed to several flashpoints, including the EFCC’s freezing of state bank accounts, the heavy deployment of 15,000 police officers, and the recent arrest of the Secretary to the State Government, Teslim Igbalaye, in connection with vote-buying allegations. She argued that while the police possess the mandate to investigate, such high-profile actions require extreme transparency to avoid appearing biased or inciting further unrest.
Regarding the Peace Accord signed by candidates, she emphasized that substantive commitment matters more than symbolic acts. She called upon security forces to maintain strict neutrality and requested that INEC ensure the final tally reflects the true will of the voters. Concluding her remarks, the professor insisted that no political position justifies the loss of life, urging leaders to reject inflammatory tactics and allow citizens to vote without fear or intimidation.
