A chartered accountant and founder/Managing Director of Salvage Professionals, Chief [Mrs.] Omokemi Olufunke Oladipo [FCA], has warned against political thuggery and violence ahead of the 2026 Osun State governorship election, urging politicians and their supporters to embrace peace and allow citizens to freely choose their leaders.

Oladipo, who is the immediate past Chairman of the Lagelu and District Society of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN), said the reports of gunshots, killings and injuries linked to political activities in the state were disturbing and unacceptable.

She spoke during an interview with The Guardian in Mokola, Ibadan, on the political atmosphere ahead of the election, stressing that the country was already grappling with security challenges and should not allow political violence to compound the situation.

According to her, political parties and their supporters should conduct their campaigns peacefully and ensure that the election provides voters with confidence and a sense of security.

“The political atmosphere is not too favourable because we heard stories of gunshots, we heard stories of people that got killed and injured as a result of one thing or the other or as a result of one rally or the other, and that is not too good,” she said.

Oladipo added: “We already have the issue of banditry to deal with, so for us to have political thuggery everywhere or around us is not a good idea. It is not a welcome idea at all.”

She urged stakeholders to work towards ensuring a peaceful election, saying Nigerians should be looking forward to progress rather than a return to violence.

“It should be a peaceful election. It should be a kind of election that will give everybody a rest of mind that things will go on well. We want to move forward in the country, not moving backward,” she said.

Oladipo said the issues that would influence voters’ choices in the election would include peace, development and the ability of candidates to improve the living conditions of residents.

She said voters were more interested in leaders capable of bringing tranquillity and development to the state than in partisan considerations.

According to her, “voters will prefer any leader that is going to give them peace, development, any leader that will bring tranquillity to the system.”

She therefore urged whoever emerges as governor after the election to prioritise the safety of residents, poverty reduction, education, infrastructure and food security.

Oladipo said the next administration should improve funding for schools and create policies capable of improving the welfare and standard of living of residents.

On the state’s internally generated revenue, she advised the incoming administration to leverage Osun’s agricultural potential and attract investors to establish businesses and industries in the state.

She said greater investment in agriculture, manufacturing and other productive sectors could create employment, expand the state’s tax base and generate additional revenue without putting excessive pressure on residents and businesses.

Oladipo also advocated stronger accountability in governance, saying elected officials should regularly review their performance against promises made during campaigns.

She said politicians should be held accountable for their commitments and ensure that the rule of law and legislative oversight mechanisms were respected.

The accountant also called for greater involvement of professionals, including accountants, economists, lawyers and academics, in governance, arguing that their technical knowledge and professional experience could contribute to better policymaking and administration.

Oladipo, who is considering active participation in politics, said she had not yet chosen a political party but remained open to working with any party willing to engage her.

“For now, I have not chosen anyone in particular to forge ahead to work with. But I am waiting. If I have an extended hand, of course I will take it,” she said.

She said if given the opportunity to serve, her priorities would include poverty reduction, improved living conditions and creating a better environment for Nigerians.

Oladipo also urged greater participation of women in politics, identifying cultural expectations, domestic responsibilities and intimidation as some of the barriers limiting women’s participation.