By Ismail Azeez, Osogbo
The fragile political atmosphere in Osun State has been further unsettled as the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) exchanged bitter accusations following a violent clash at the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) office in Ikirun, Ifelodun Local Government Area.
The confrontation, which erupted during the Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) exercise, has seen both parties accuse each other of orchestrating attacks, deploying armed thugs, and plotting murder, raising fresh concerns about the 2026 governorship election.
The Osun State chapter of the APC alleged that PDP loyalists, led by a notorious gang leader, Hassan Oyewo Abdullahi, known as the head of the “One Million Gang,” attacked APC Ward 1 councillor Taiwo Kazeem and another member, Oladimeji Olamilekan. According to the APC, Abdullahi used a concealed axe and a firearm during the assault, leaving both men injured.
“The intervention of registrants at the INEC office was what saved our members from being killed,” the APC’s Director of Media and Information, Kola Olabisi, said in a statement.
Olabisi alleged that the attack escalated when former Ifelodun Local Government chairman Sarafadeen Awotunde, popularly called “Spain,” stormed the INEC office with armed supporters to whisk Abdullahi and his associates away before police could intervene. He described Mr Awotunde as “a self-acclaimed violent PDP thug in Ikirun and its environs” and called on the Commissioner of Police to arrest, investigate, and prosecute all those involved.
“This shameful criminal conduct of Spain and his gang is inimical to public peace,” Olabisi said.
The PDP has, however, strongly rejected the claims, dismissing them as “baseless propaganda” meant to mislead the public and damage the reputation of its leaders.
In a counter-statement released by the Media Unit of the office of the executive chairman of Ifelodun Local Government, the party asserted that Awotunde had not visited the INEC office since the CVR began over two weeks ago.
“For clarity, since the commencement of the Continuous Voter Registration exercise over two weeks ago, Otunba Awotunde has not set foot in or around the Ifelodun INEC office. In contrast, it is the sacked Yes/No Chairman and his entourage that usually go to the INEC office almost every day for photo shopping and undue attention,” the PDP said.
The party further accused the APC of staging the violence, claiming that Mr Kazeem himself brought weapons into the registration centre.
“The allegation that Otunba led or sponsored any attack is not only false but a deliberate attempt to malign his image and distract from the ongoing peaceful voter registration exercise,” the PDP added.
Defending Awotunde’s character, the PDP described him as “a law-abiding citizen of Osun State and Nigeria at large” who has “consistently demonstrated belief in democratic principles, the rule of law, and the fundamental freedoms of association and movement.”
The clash underscores how the voter registration process, meant to strengthen democratic participation, has instead become a flashpoint for political confrontation in Osun. The accusations of gun attacks, gang mobilisation, and smear campaigns signal the heightened stakes of the approaching 2026 governorship race.
Political analysts warn that this intensifying hostility between the two dominant parties threatens to undermine public trust in the CVR exercise and destabilise the political landscape ahead of the polls. Observers caution that without swift and impartial investigations, the escalating crisis could embolden political thugs and jeopardise the credibility of the electoral process.
Elections in Osun have historically been contentious, with previous cycles marked by legal disputes, bitter rivalries, and shifting political power. The 2026 contest is already shaping up as another high-stakes battle.
As APC and PDP leaders trade accusations, the greatest concern among residents of Ikirun and other communities is personal safety and the freedom to participate in elections without intimidation. The CVR clashes serve as a stark reminder of Nigeria’s tendency for electoral violence, a worrying prospect for a state with a history of turbulent polls.
One civil rights observer in Osogbo expressed concern: “If this is happening at voter registration, what will happen on election day itself? Both parties must take responsibility before Osun descends into chaos.”
With the governorship election less than a year away, stakeholders insist that political leaders must act responsibly, while security agencies must step up to ensure order. The credibility of the electoral process, and the stability of Osun State, remain firmly at stake.