Osun Election Peace and Security Summit: State Actors Agrees on Non-Violence Ahead Governorship Election, Supports KDI Over Safe Process
Traditional Rulers, Security Agencies, Religious bodies, Civil Society Organisations, the Media, Independent National Electoral Commission, political parties, and community leaders came together to agree on Non-Violence and a safe process before, during and after Osun state Gubernatorial Election billed to hold on Saturday, August 15, 2026.
The State Actors made the declaration at the Osun Election Peace & Security Summit (EPSS) themed, Safeguarding the 2026 Osun Governorship Election: A Stakeholder Commitment to Peace and Security” held at Aurora Events Centre in Osogbo.
In his address of welcome, the EPSS Committee Chairman, a prominent Yoruba traditional ruler, HRM Oba Dr Adedokun Abolarin Aroyinkeye 1, the Orangun of Oke-Ila, called on political actors, youths, and citizens of Osun State to embrace tolerance and issue-based politics as the state prepares for the 2026 Governorship Election.
Speaking at the EPSS programme, he condemned the destruction of billboards, political violence, and low tolerance in the state’s politics. “We fight over trivial things. We kill all in the name of politics. A people cannot build a future on the belief that to win, the other must be crushed.”
The Royal father proposed a 5-point roadmap which include Educate for politics, not war, Raise our tolerance, Make politics issue-based, Learn from history – citing “Operation Wetie” and 1966 coup, adding that Elders and Youths must lead differently, and refuse to be used for violence.
According to Orangun of Oke-Ila, “Osun deserves better. Nigeria deserves better. We are capable of politics that builds, not destroys; politics that unites, not divides,” he concluded.
In their goodwill messages, the Nigeria Security and Civil Defense Corps, NSCDC Commandant Sotiyo Igbalawole Emmanuel, the State Director, Department of State Services, Mr O. Edet, The Commander of Engineering Construction Command Ede Barracks, Brigadier General S.S. Bello, and Commissioner of Police CP Ibrahim Gotan mnips, agreed that maintaining peace is paramount during the election process.
The representatives of the security institutions agreed on team work and declared their readiness for the August 15 Governorship election in Osun state, while they emphasised their objectives of protection and maintaining law and order, they urged residents to comply with INEC directives while they carry out their Civic responsibilities on the election day.
Also, the INEC National Chairman, Professor Kunle Ajayi, and the Osun state Resident Electoral Commissioner, Mrs Oluwatoyin Babalola highlighted the 95-percent readiness of the Independent National Electoral Commission for the Osun state Gubernatorial election, adding that the preparedness is inclusive of the Person’s with Disability Community, pregnant women, nursing mothers and the aged who will vote on that day.
The Commission used the medium to appeal to the youth electorates, not to stay indoors, but to use the election day to go out and vote, and exercise their voting right appropriately.
The duo of the Ooni of Ife, HIM, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi CFR Ojaja II, and the Governance Adviser UK Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office, Dr Mathew Aiyebakuro urged institutions to fully support the process in other to gain public trust and promote democracy, while noting that stakeholders collaboration aid democratic process, and they echoed their support to the system
The Team Lead of Kimpact Development Initiative (KDI), Bukola Idowu, called on stakeholders and the electorate to work collectively towards ensuring a peaceful, free, and credible governorship election in Osun State, while he warned that elections should be decided through ballots rather than violence, stressing that “no ambition is worth a human life.”
Presenting findings from KDI’s Electoral Security Risk Assessment, he disclosed that Osun recorded 56 election-related violent incidents within the last 12 months, compared with 26 non-election-related incidents, while 14 people lost their lives in election-related violence. He further revealed that 65 percent of the violent incidents occurred in May and June 2026 as political campaigns intensified.
Idowu noted that Osogbo accounted for 23 of the 56 recorded incidents and nine of the 14 fatalities, making it the highest-risk area in the state, although other local government areas such as Oriade, Irepodun, Irewole, Iwo, and Obokun also recorded deadly incidents.
He explained that election violence in the state has become increasingly strategic, targeting political strongholds, campaign routes, party offices, and symbolic communities with the aim of suppressing voter turnout and intimidating opponents.
Addressing candidates and political parties, Idowu urged them to focus on issue-based campaigns rather than violence, misinformation, or hate speech. According to him, leadership is demonstrated not only by winning elections but also by restraining supporters from acts capable of undermining democracy.
The KDI Team Lead also appealed to youths to reject inducement by politicians, warning them not to sacrifice their future for election-day payments or political manipulation, and he called on security agencies to maintain professionalism, neutrality, and early deployment to identified flashpoints, while urging INEC to ensure timely logistics, effective communication, and transparency to prevent rumours capable of triggering unrest.
Idowu further appealed to traditional rulers, religious leaders, community leaders, and the media to promote dialogue, discourage hate speech, verify information before publication, and support peacebuilding efforts throughout the election period.
Calling on eligible voters, Idowu urged them to reject vote-buying, violence, fake news, and electoral inducement while participating peacefully in the electoral process, adding that “May peace come before politics. May Osun come before party. May democracy come before desperation. And may the people of Osun win, no matter who wins the election.”
The Government of Osun State under the leadership of Governor Ademola Adeleke, represented by the Commissioner for Political and Inter-governmental Relations, Dr Niyi Odunlade commended the stakeholders for embracing the electoral system, he stressed that democracy remains a shared responsibility requiring collaboration among INEC, political parties, security agencies, civil society organisations, traditional institutions, the media, and citizens.
Assuring everyone that the government will uphold democracy in all ramifications, he urged the stakeholders to renew their commitment to peace, expressing hope that the August 16, 2026 Osun Governorship Election would be remembered for credibility, maturity, and peaceful participation rather than violence.
Highlight of the EPSS was the consideration, adoption and endorsement of the summit communique reflecting the collective resolutions and commitments of participating stakeholders.