Osun Election: Situation Room Raises Alarm Over 16 Political Violence Deaths Since September 2025 | Sahara Reporters

The Situation Room also noted the heavy deployment of the military for the election and expressed hope that the entire security machinery would conduct itself responsibly and operate within civil, professional and lawful terms of engagement.

The Nigeria Civil Society Situation Room has called on all candidates, political party leaders, campaign organisations and political influencers participating in the Osun State governorship election to immediately stop inflammatory rhetoric, threats, incitement and the circulation of unverified information capable of heightening tensions and triggering violence.

The Situation Room made the call on Friday in Osogbo, the Osun State capital, as political parties and their supporters intensify activities ahead of the election.

The civil society coalition urged political leaders to publicly direct their supporters to reject violence, stressing that elections should be contests over ideas, policies and votes rather than battles to be won through intimidation, coercion or force.

“Political leaders must publicly instruct their supporters to reject violence and must accept that an election is a contest over ideas, policies and votes, not a battle to be won through intimidation or force,” the Situation Room said.

On security arrangements for the election, the Situation Room noted the deployment of 15,000 personnel by the Nigeria Police Force, 10,210 personnel of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), and 100 officials of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

It called for the deployments to be made effective across the state, with particular attention paid to identified security flashpoints, while insisting that all security personnel must strictly adhere to the rules of engagement.

The Situation Room also noted the heavy deployment of the military for the election and expressed hope that the entire security machinery would conduct itself responsibly and operate within civil, professional and lawful terms of engagement.

It urged security agencies to document evidence of electoral violence, infractions and the identities of perpetrators and share such information with the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to facilitate the speedy prosecution of offenders, regardless of their political status or connections.

The group further called on security agencies to be proactive in tackling vote-buying, stressing that officers should apprehend suspected offenders when credible evidence exists rather than wait for electoral officials to identify or point them out.

The Situation Room said it was particularly concerned about the convergence of intense political rivalry, allegations of sponsorship of violence, the proliferation of political thugs and fatalities linked to political violence in the state.

According to the group, about 16 fatalities have been recorded since September 2025, based on incidents tracked by the Kimpact Development Initiative.

It stressed that the violence was not limited to one political party, noting that perpetrators have been affiliated with both the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Accord Party.

The Situation Room therefore called on all political parties, candidates and their supporters to play by the rules and support the conduct of a free, fair, peaceful and credible election in Osun State.

The civil society coalition also acknowledged the intervention of the Inspector-General of Police, Mr Tunji Disu, who has warned political actors and citizens against violence and directed security agencies to bring perpetrators of political violence to justice.

The Situation Room welcomed the IGP’s intervention but stressed that public assurances must now translate into “visible, impartial and preventive action” before, during and after the election.

It warned that failure by security agencies to act impartially could further undermine public confidence in the electoral process and create conditions for violence.

The Situation Room called for urgent action by all stakeholders, particularly security agencies and political parties.

It said security agencies must act impartially and decisively, adding that the Nigeria Police Force and other agencies must demonstrate political neutrality and enforce the law without fear or favour.

According to the group, arrests, investigations and prosecutions must be based on credible evidence and not political affiliation.

“Security agencies must resist being drawn into partisan political contests,” it said.

The Situation Room warned that any perception that security institutions were being deployed selectively against particular political parties or candidates could undermine public confidence in the security architecture and potentially trigger further violence.

The group also called for security operations to be risk-based and intelligence-led, stressing that the identification of 385 flashpoints and 15 violence-risk local government areas must translate into concrete deployment and contingency plans.

It urged security agencies to ensure adequate personnel are deployed to identified high-risk locations while avoiding excessive militarisation of the electoral environment.

“Security presence should reassure voters, not intimidate them,” the Situation Room said.

It further urged security personnel to maintain professionalism, respect citizens’ rights and ensure that voters can freely exercise their franchise without fear, harassment or intimidation.

The Situation Room also called on political parties and candidates to take responsibility for the political environment they create through their statements, campaigns and conduct.

It urged candidates and party leaders to restrain their supporters, reject political thuggery and publicly distance themselves from individuals or groups involved in violence, intimidation, vote-buying or other electoral offences.

The coalition stressed that political parties have a responsibility to ensure that their campaigns do not become avenues for incitement or the mobilisation of violence.

It said the success of the Osun election would depend not only on the deployment of security personnel but also on the willingness of political actors to respect democratic rules and allow voters to make their choices freely.

The Situation Room therefore urged all stakeholders to place the peace and democratic integrity of Osun State above partisan interests, warning that political competition must not be allowed to degenerate into violence.