As tension builds ahead of the August 15 gubernatorial poll in Osun amid reported killings and violence, Election Observation Hub, consisting of Civil Society Organisations (CSOs), powered by European Union Support to Democratic Governance in Nigeria Phase Two (EU-BDGN II), on Monday identified 13 local governments areas as flashpoints.

The CSOs called for more require intelligence-driven, preventive, and proportionate security deployments before, during, and after election day to deter violence and protect voters, election officials, observers, and electoral materials in the listed councils.

Presenting Pre-election Assessment Report in Osogbo, the spokesperson for the CSOs, Dr Akin Akingbulu, also raised concern over the alleged neutrality of the Police in dealing with violence and its perpetrators.

Akingbulu stated, “13 of the 30 local government areas in Osun State are high-risk, having recorded politically motivated killings, violent attacks, and heightened political tensions. These include Irewole, Osogbo, Boripe, Obokun, Ife North, Ife Central, and parts of Ijesaland.

Referencing the battle for the control of council leadership between the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the then Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), now Accord-controlled administration of Governor Ademola Adeleke, in February 2025 as the genesis of political tension, he noted that in contrast to the recent Ekiti State off-cycle election, Osun State’s political environment is
significantly more competitive, polarised, and volatile.

“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,” Akingbulu averred.

According to him, the forthcoming poll will present an opportunity to strengthen public confidence in electoral
institutions and demonstrate that elections can be conducted in a manner that is peaceful, credible, transparent and inclusive.

Considering persistent concerns about electoral integrity and declining public trust, the quality of the Osun election will have implications beyond the state, Akingbulu further explained that the polls would also shape perceptions of Nigeria’s commitment to the credibility of the forthcoming 2027 general election.

“The assessment identifies a complex and evolving election security environment shaped by elite political fragmentation, organised political violence, institutional tensions between federal and state actors, and broader criminal activities such as cultism and kidnapping,” Akingbulu posited.

He, however, maintained that the success of these preparations will depend on the timely release of funds, efficient logistics, effective training and deployment of approximately 17,500 ad hoc personnel, and the seamless deployment of election materials across the state.

The assessment report recommended, among others, “timely and efficient logistical deployment of election personnel and materials.” Guarantee the transparent operation of BVAS and the IReV portal.

“Ensure the timely, transparent, and efficient collation of election results to enhance public trust, reduce speculation, and de-escalate the tensions that have historically accompanied the results management process in Osun.

“Strict operational neutrality throughout the electoral process and deployment of intelligence-led security operations in identified high-risk locations.”