The Council of the Wise of the Savannah Centre for Diplomacy, Democracy and Development (SCDDD) has condemned the spate of violence and loss of lives reported ahead of Saturday’s Osun State governorship election, warning that no more human lives should be lost in the pursuit of political power.

The council expressed grave concern over what it described as “very negative and clearly undemocratic developments” surrounding the August 15, 2026 election.

The council said the reported incidents of violence, particularly the loss of human lives, were “needless, unpatriotic and unacceptable” in a democratic setting.

Speaking on behalf of the council at a press briefing in Abuja, a member of the Council, Ambassador Godknows Igali commended Governor Ademola Adeleke and other governorship candidates for participating in the electoral process and repeatedly expressing their commitment to playing by the rules.

The statement was endorsed by members of the Council, including former Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Olukayode Ariwoola, who is the Chairman of the Council of the Wise, Joke Silva, Ambassador Godknows Igali, Tunji Lardner, Prof. Ambassador A.Y. Shehu, Prof. Oba Abdulraheem, Prof. Joy Ezeilo, SAN, Ambassador Abdulaziz M. Dankano, Ambassador Ummu Kalthum Muhammad and Ambassador Sani Saulawa Bala, who is also Executive Director and Council Secretary.

The council acknowledged assurances by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and various security agencies that they would work to ensure a free, fair and credible election.

But it said the reported violence and recurring threats to democracy, including what it described as provocative actions by various stakeholders, remained a source of serious concern.

“The Council observes with very grave concerns the very negative and clearly undemocratic developments which continue to be reported ahead of the election.

“In particular and most disturbing are the very unfortunate incidences including especially, loss of human lives.

“This is needless, unpatriotic, and unacceptable in a democratic setting where the ultimate goal to participate in the electoral process is to serve the people in order to bring better dividends of democracy”, the council said.

The Council urged the heads of relevant institutions to ensure that incidents of violence recorded ahead of the election were thoroughly investigated and that those responsible were promptly brought to justice.

It specifically called on the INEC Chairman, Prof. Joash Ojo Amupitan; Inspector General of Police, Tunde Disu; Director-General of the Department of State Services (DSS), Tosin Ajayi; and Executive Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ola Olukoyede, as well as other security chiefs, to take all necessary measures to guarantee a peaceful election.

According to the Council, the responsibility of ensuring that the Osun election is conducted properly rests significantly on the electoral and security authorities.

It urged political actors, candidates and residents of Osun State to recognise the importance of the election as a test of Nigeria’s democratic credentials ahead of the 2027 general elections.

“More particularly is the need to remind all, including the people of Osun State, of the imperative of ensuring that the election in the state which is coming up ahead of the 2027 General Elections is conducted with all needed transparency, fairness and fair play,” the Council said.

It stressed that voters must be allowed to exercise their franchise without intimidation, violence or coercion.

“No more human lives should be wasted and the people of Osun State must be given the confidence to come out to vote freely, independently and in a peaceful atmosphere so that the outcome of the election would reflect the wish of the people of the state,” it said.

The Council said the Savannah Centre, together with its national and international partners, would continue to closely monitor developments before, during and after the election.