Osun Women Stage Peaceful Protest, Demand End to Political Violence Ahead of August 15 Polls
By Boladale Ajibola,
Hundreds of women and in Osun State have staged a peaceful protest in Osogbo ,the state capital ,demanding an immediate end to political violence, intimidation, and killings ahead of the August 15, 2026 governorship election.
Dressed in black, the protesters converged on Laro Grammar School,Osogbo, early in the morning and marched through Lameco, WOCDIF, and the Osun State Police Command headquarters chanting “enough is enough” while carrying placards with inscriptions such as _“Stop Killing Our Children,” “Osun Women Demand Peace,”_ and _“President Tinubu, End the Bloodshed in Osun”_ among others.
The Commissioner for Women Affairs, Children and Social Welfare, Chief (Mrs) Ayobola Awolowo, during the protest expressed concern over the rising violence in the state. She said lives have been lost and many young people have become victims, while families continue to suffer from arrests, intimidation and destruction of property.
Speaking during the rally, some women leaders said the protest was not against any political party but against fear and violence ahead of the election. “We are mothers. We cannot continue to bury our children because of politics. Let the people vote in peace,” one of them said.
The protesters demanded the redeployment of the Osun State Commissioner of Police, Ibrahim Gotan, over allegations of bias. They also called on President Bola Tinubu and the Inspector-General of Police to ensure neutral security and a safe environment for citizens to vote on August 15.
Present at the rally was the First Lady of Osun State, Chief Mrs. Titilola Adeleke, and other political functionaries throughout the state.