By Julius Peter
Tension and apprehension have heightened across parts of Osun State ahead of Saturday’s governorship election following reports of a series of violent incidents that have allegedly claimed the lives of at least eight members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in different parts of the state.
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has scheduled the Osun State Governorship Election for Saturday, August 15, 2026, with political parties, candidates and their supporters intensifying campaigns, mobilisation and other last-minute preparations ahead of the poll.
However, the build-up to the election has been overshadowed by allegations of politically motivated violence, raising concerns among residents, political actors and other stakeholders over the safety of voters, party supporters, electoral officials and other participants in the electoral process.
According to information gathered by ,one APC member was allegedly killed by gunmen in Ilesa East, while another violent incident in Ilesa West reportedly resulted in the deaths of three APC members.
Other incidents have also allegedly been recorded in different parts of the state, bringing the reported number of APC members killed in the pre-election violence to eight.
The circumstances surrounding the reported deaths, however, remain unclear. The identities of some of the alleged victims, the exact circumstances of the attacks and those responsible could not be independently established at the time of filing this report.
A source familiar with developments in the state, who spoke on condition of anonymity, alleged that some political actors had resorted to violence in an attempt to intimidate supporters of rival parties ahead of the election.
The source further alleged that some personnel of the Amotekun Corps, the South-West regional security outfit, may have been involved in attacks on members and supporters of opposition political parties.
True Leaders News could not independently verify the allegation against the Amotekun Corps. No specific evidence was made available to substantiate the claim, and the allegation remains unverified pending a response from the security outfit or an investigation by the relevant authorities.
The reported incidents have nevertheless heightened anxiety in communities considered politically sensitive, with residents expressing fears that further clashes could occur as the election draws closer.
There are also concerns that persistent violence could undermine public confidence in the electoral process and discourage some eligible voters from turning out to exercise their constitutional rights on election day.
The development has placed additional pressure on security agencies to intensify surveillance, intelligence gathering and preventive measures across the state.
Security personnel are expected to ensure adequate protection for voters, candidates, party agents, electoral officials, journalists, observers and other stakeholders before, during and after the election.
Beyond preventing attacks, stakeholders have also stressed the importance of impartiality and professionalism by security personnel deployed for the election, particularly in areas identified as flashpoints.
The latest reports come against the backdrop of repeated calls by electoral authorities and other stakeholders for political parties and their supporters to shun violence and allow voters to freely participate in the democratic process.
Political parties are also expected to prevail on their supporters to exercise restraint and avoid provocative actions capable of escalating tensions or triggering clashes.
Civil society organisations and other observers have similarly emphasised the need for security agencies to investigate allegations of pre-election violence and ensure that anyone found culpable is brought to justice, irrespective of political affiliation.
As the August 15 election approaches, attention is increasingly focused on the ability of the authorities to prevent further violence and create an environment in which citizens can vote without fear or intimidation.
For many residents, the immediate priority is the restoration of calm and the prevention of further loss of lives.
Stakeholders have therefore urged all governorship candidates, political parties, traditional and religious leaders, youth groups and other influential actors to use their platforms to promote peace and discourage retaliation.
They also called on residents to avoid spreading unverified information that could inflame tensions, while urging anyone with credible information about attacks to report it to the appropriate authorities.
