By John Dike, Osogbo
Osun State chapter of the Accord Party has called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to review its election risk assessment report which identified 385 flashpoints across the state, describing the exercise as questionable and capable of undermining confidence in the electoral process.
It also faulted the inclusion of Ila Local Government among areas classified as kidnapping hotspots, with the member representing Ila/Ifedayo/Boluwaduro Federal Constituency, Hon. Clement Akanni Olohunwa, insisting that Ila has no record of kidnapping incidents.
In a statement jointly signed by its State Chairman, Pastor Victor Babalola Akande, and Hon. Olohunwa on Monday, the party commended the State Resident Electoral Commissioner, Mrs. Oluwatoyin Babalola, for her commitment to conducting free, fair and credible elections but urged her to review the methodology and findings of the risk assessment.
Accord described the report as “a hatchet job for a sinister electoral agenda,” alleging that the figures on flashpoints and inaccessible polling areas did not reflect the security realities in Osun State.
Speaking on the classification of Ila and Ifedayo Local Government Areas as kidnapping hotspots, Olohunwa maintained that Ila had never recorded any kidnapping incident.
According to him, the few kidnapping cases reported in Ifedayo Local Government occurred only in Ora community and had since been effectively addressed by security agencies.
“Till date, Ila-Orangun has never witnessed any case of kidnapping. The two cases that happened at Ifedayo Local Government were strictly at Ora, not even the entire local government. Since then, security agencies have secured the area and peace has been restored,” he said.
He argued that the inclusion of Ila in the report raises concerns about the credibility of the overall assessment.
IOlohunwa further questioned the report’s claim that Osun has 385 flashpoints and about 200 inaccessible areas, insisting that the state has remained largely peaceful except for recent incidents of political violence.
He urged the Resident Electoral Commissioner to investigate the consultant responsible for compiling the report to ensure that election planning is not based on inaccurate or misleading data.
Similarly, the Accord State Chairman said many stakeholders had expressed concerns over the report, alleging that it could be used to disenfranchise voters in some communities during the 2026 governorship election.
“Our state is peaceful. We don’t have 385 flashpoints. We know the REC has good intentions, but she should review the circumstances surrounding the compilation of the report.
“Osun also cannot have 200 inaccessible areas. The figure appears inflated, and this raises questions about the credibility of the assessment. We will engage the commission and are confident that the REC will review the report,” Akande said.
The party called on INEC to reassess the report and ensure that all election preparations are based on accurate, verifiable and credible data to sustain public confidence in the electoral process.
