Anxiety is rising across Osun State with the governorship election scheduled for August 15. The All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Accord Party have reported a combined total of 18 fatalities among their supporters during the campaign period. Violent episodes, including shootings and targeted attacks, have been frequent in areas such as Osogbo, Ede, Ife, Oriade, Ijebu-Ijesha, Ilobu, and Ikire.
To address the unrest, authorities have announced the deployment of 15,000 police officers. This decision has met with mixed reactions from stakeholders. The APC campaign council, which claims ten of its members were killed, emphasized that professional conduct and equipment are more critical than the sheer number of personnel. Conversely, the Accord Party, reporting eight deaths, expressed concern that 15,000 officers might be insufficient given the state’s 3,761 polling units.
Civil society organizations like The Osun Masterminds have criticized the move, labeling it a militarization of the electoral process that could discourage voter turnout and create security gaps in neighboring states. However, other groups such as Dialogue 365 and individuals like former lawmaker Olatunbosun Oyintiloye support the deployment. They argue that the security presence is a necessary, intelligence-driven response to curb political violence and ensure a peaceful voting experience.
