By Our Reporter
A coalition of election observer groups has identified 13 of Osun State’s 30 local government areas as potential flashpoints ahead of the August 15 governorship election, warning that recent political violence and rising tensions could threaten the credibility of the poll.
The coalition, comprising the Centre for Media and Society (CEMESO), ElectHER, International Press Centre (IPC), Nigerian Women Trust Fund (NWTF), Election Observation Hub (EOH), TAF Africa, The Kukah Centre (TKC), and Yiaga Africa, raised the alarm during the presentation of its pre-election assessment report at a press conference in Osogbo on Monday.
The observers identified Irewole, Osogbo, Boripe, Obokun, Ife North, Ife Central, and parts of Ijesaland among the areas requiring heightened security attention due to politically motivated killings, violent attacks, and escalating political tensions recorded in recent weeks.
Presenting the report, Lanre Arogundade urged the Nigeria Police Force and other security agencies to prioritise intelligence-driven and preventive security measures in the identified local government areas before, during, and after the election.
According to him, the affected areas require “intelligence-driven, preventive and proportionate security deployments” to deter violence and ensure the safety of voters, election officials, observers, and electoral materials.
Arogundade also expressed concerns over the neutrality of security agencies, particularly the Nigeria Police Force, stressing that public confidence in the electoral process would depend largely on their professionalism and impartiality.
He described the August 15 governorship election as a significant test for Nigeria’s democracy, coming weeks after the Ekiti State off-cycle election and less than a year before the 2027 general election.
“The election provides another critical opportunity to assess the preparedness of electoral institutions, the professionalism and neutrality of security agencies, the commitment of political actors to democratic norms, and the resilience of Nigeria’s electoral process,” he said.
He added that the outcome of the Osun poll would influence public perception of Nigeria’s readiness to conduct credible elections ahead of the 2027 general election.
The coalition also warned that the lingering dispute over the legitimacy and control of local government councils has created institutional uncertainty, heightened political tensions, and increased the risk of electoral violence.
According to Arogundade, “The unresolved contestation over the legitimacy and control of local government councils has generated institutional uncertainty, heightened tensions between political actors, and increased the risk of electoral conflict. In such a context, even routine electoral processes may become flashpoints for confrontation if not managed transparently, impartially, and in strict accordance with the law.”
He maintained that the credibility of the governorship election would ultimately be judged by the level of peace maintained throughout the process and the fairness and transparency of its conduct.
