By John Dike, Osogbo
The Kimpact Development Initiative (KDI), a non-governmental organisation focused on democratic governance and electoral integrity, has expressed grave concern over the rising pattern of violence, intimidation, property destruction, and insecurity across Osun State as political activities intensify ahead of the August 15, 2026 governorship election.
Speaking with journalists in Osogbo on Thursday, the Executive Director of KDI, Mr. Bukola Idowu, warned that elections should never be treated as a battlefield, stressing that no political ambition is worth the life, dignity, safety, or peace of any citizen.
According to him, elections are civic processes through which citizens freely choose their leaders, debate policy alternatives, and renew democratic legitimacy.
“Elections are not war. No political ambition, party interest, or electoral calculation is worth the life, dignity, safety, or peace of any citizen,” Idowu said.
He disclosed that KDI’s ongoing pre-election observation and violence monitoring activities had revealed a disturbing trend of electoral violence in the state.
According to data presented at the briefing, the organisation documented 44 election-related violent incidents across Osun State between October 2025 and June 2026. The incidents resulted in 13 recorded fatalities, numerous injuries, destruction of property, and growing fear among residents.
KDI also recorded 24 non-election-related violent incidents during the same period, which claimed 23 lives, underscoring what the organisation described as a broader security challenge confronting the state.
Of particular concern, Idowu noted, is the rapid escalation of violence in recent months. He revealed that 26 of the 44 verified election-related incidents occurred in May and June 2026 alone, accounting for 59.1 per cent of all recorded election-related violence during the monitoring period.
“This concentration of incidents barely two months before the election constitutes a significant early warning signal that must not be ignored and requires urgent preventive action,” he stated.
The KDI Executive Director further explained that findings from the organisation’s Election Security Risk Assessment (ESRA) indicate that violence and insecurity in the state are manifesting through targeted property destruction, shootings, physical assaults, verbal threats, localised intimidation, and violent confrontations in politically sensitive areas.
He identified Osogbo Local Government Area, particularly Olaiya, Oke Fia, and Aregbe, as recording the highest concentration of election-related violent incidents.
Similarly, he noted that reports of shootings, intimidation, destruction of property, and violent clashes in Owode-Ede and other communities continue to raise serious concerns regarding public safety, voter confidence, and the overall integrity of the electoral environment.
Idowu described as particularly tragic the death of 14-year-old Ezekiel Olapade, who was reportedly fatally wounded during a violent incident in Ilobu, Irepodun Local Government Area, on June 21, 2026.
“The death of this young citizen is a painful reminder that unchecked political and communal violence leaves irreversible consequences on families, communities, and the democratic process itself,” he said.
KDI condemned the killing and called for a prompt, impartial, and transparent investigation into the incident, as well as all other reported acts of violence, with perpetrators brought to justice in accordance with the law.
As part of efforts to address growing tensions, KDI announced the establishment of the Osun State Peace and Mediation Working Committee (SPMWC), a multi-stakeholder peacebuilding platform designed to support preventive engagement, dialogue, mediation, and confidence-building before, during, and after the election.
According to Idowu, the committee will engage political parties, security agencies, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), traditional and religious leaders, youth and women groups, civil society organisations, media practitioners, and community actors to promote peace and prevent the escalation of conflicts.
He clarified that the committee is not intended to replace the constitutional responsibilities of security agencies, INEC, political parties, or government institutions, but rather to serve as a complementary civic peace infrastructure aimed at strengthening early warning mechanisms and encouraging non-violent approaches to political disagreements.
“KDI will continue to condemn all acts of violence, engage stakeholders, amplify peace messages, and support coordinated de-escalation in identified hotspots,” he said.
The organisation called on all stakeholders to cooperate with the committee in good faith, emphasising that political leaders must not wait until violence worsens before embracing peace.
KDI urged political parties, candidates, and campaign councils to publicly commit to peaceful and issue-based campaigns, discourage supporters from engaging in violence and hate speech, and ensure strict internal discipline among party members.
Security agencies were advised to deploy intelligence-led and preventive measures in identified hotspots, investigate all reported incidents thoroughly, and maintain professionalism, neutrality, and transparency in their operations.
KDI further encouraged INEC to sustain proactive engagement with stakeholders, intensify voter education efforts, enforce electoral regulations, and communicate clearly to combat misinformation and build public confidence.
Traditional rulers, religious leaders, community leaders, women and youth groups were urged to use their influence to discourage violence, promote dialogue, and prevent young people from being recruited for political violence or vote-buying activities.
The organisation also appealed to media practitioners and online influencers to verify information before publication, avoid inflammatory reporting, and promote peace messaging, fact-checking, and voter education.
Citizens were advised to reject inducements to participate in violence, report threats and attacks through lawful channels, and support a peaceful electoral process.
In a passionate appeal, KDI emphasised that Osun State’s democratic heritage must not be undermined by political desperation, violence, or impunity.
“The 2026 Governorship Election should be remembered for peaceful participation, credible competition, informed citizen choice, and the collective maturity of stakeholders, not for bloodshed, intimidation, and fear,” Idowu said.
He reiterated KDI’s commitment to supporting peaceful, credible, inclusive, and secure elections in Osun State and across Nigeria, stressing that the lives of citizens, the credibility of elections, and the future of democracy must remain paramount.
“The future of democracy in Nigeria depends not only on election-day procedures but also on whether citizens can approach the ballot without fear,” he concluded.
