A total of 26 cases of election-related violence have been recorded in Osun State over the last two months, sparking serious concerns ahead of the state’s governorship election scheduled for August 15.
The Executive Director of the Kimpact Development Initiative (KDI), Bukola Idowu, revealed the figures on Thursday during a press briefing in Osogbo, the state capital.
He disclosed that the group has documented a total of 44 election-related violent incidents across Osun State between October 2025 and June 2026.
Idowu stated that 26 of these 44 verified incidents occurred in May and June 2026 alone, representing 59.1% of all recorded electoral violence during the monitoring period.
He called on stakeholders across the state to take urgent, visible, and coordinated steps to de-escalate political tension and protect the credibility of the electoral process.
“No political ambition, party interest, or electoral calculation is worth the life, dignity, safety, or peace of any citizen,” Idowu emphasized.
According to data from KDI’s Monitoring and Election Security Risk Assessment (ESRA), the 44 election-related violent incidents have resulted in 13 recorded fatalities, multiple injuries, the destruction of property, and heightened fear among residents.
KDI also documented 24 non-election-related violent incidents during the same period, which resulted in 23 fatalities, underscoring a volatile broader security environment that requires careful management.
Idowu urged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to sustain transparency and confidence-building measures as the election approaches.
He also called on political leaders to speak peace, organize campaigns responsibly, and restrain their supporters.
He also urged security agencies to act early, fairly, and firmly to protect the democratic space, while advising the media to inform rather than inflame the public.
Traditional, religious, women, and youth leaders were also encouraged to continue serving as voices of calm and conscience.
Idowu concluded by stating that the future of democracy in Nigeria depends not only on election-day procedures but also on whether citizens can approach the ballot box without fear.