OrionTimes Political Desk | June 25, 2026 The Osun APC Campaign Council has called for a thorough, transparent and impartial investigation into the death of Ajayi Aderogba, while accusing the Imole Campaign Council of attempting to politicize the tragic incident. In a statement issued on Thursday by the Office of the Director-General of the Osun APC Campaign Council, Hon. Oluwole Oke, and signed by his Senior Media Aide, Omolebi-Sunday Segun Tunde, the campaign council said the loss of Aderogba was a tragedy that should not be exploited for partisan purposes. The council expressed condolences to the family, friends and associates of the deceased, describing every violent death as a matter deserving professional investigation by the appropriate security agencies. Responding to an earlier statement by the Imole Campaign Council, signed by Mr. Pelumi Olajengbesi, the APC campaign council argued that it was inappropriate for any political group to assign blame before the conclusion of inve...
Osun 2026: KDI Raises Alarm as Electoral Violence Claims 13 Lives, Records 44 Incidents Ahead of Governorship Poll
By OrionTimes Political Desk
OSOGBO — Kimpact Development Initiative (KDI) has expressed deep concern over the rising wave of electoral violence across Osun State ahead of the August 15, 2026 governorship election, warning that the escalating insecurity poses a serious threat to public safety and the credibility of the democratic process.
In a pre-election press statement released on Thursday in Osogbo, the civil society organisation disclosed that it documented 44 election-related violent incidents between October 2025 and June 2026, resulting in 13 fatalities, several injuries, and widespread destruction of property.
According to the Executive Director of the organisation, Bukola Idowu, “an additional 24 non-election-related violent incidents were recorded during the same period, leading to 23 deaths and highlighting broader security concerns within the state."
The organisation noted that the pace of violence has intensified significantly in recent months, revealing that 26 of the 44 verified election-related incidents occurred in May and June 2026 alone, representing 59.1 percent of all recorded cases.
Describing the trend as a critical early warning signal, KDI urged political actors, security agencies, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), traditional rulers, religious leaders, civil society organisations, and citizens to take immediate steps to prevent further escalation.
"Elections are not war. They are civic processes through which citizens freely choose their leaders and renew democratic legitimacy. No political ambition is worth the life, dignity, safety, or peace of any citizen," the organisation stated.
KDI's Election Security Risk Assessment (ESRA) identified several forms of violence, including shootings, physical assaults, intimidation, verbal threats, and property destruction in politically sensitive areas.
The report identified Osogbo Local Government Area, particularly Olaiya, Oke Fia, and Aregbe, as locations with the highest concentration of election-related violence. The organisation also expressed concern over incidents recorded in Owode-Ede and other communities where reports of shootings and violent confrontations have heightened fears among residents.
One of the most tragic incidents cited by KDI was the death of 14-year-old Ezekiel Olapade, who reportedly sustained fatal injuries during a violent clash in Ilobu, Irepodun Local Government Area, on June 21, 2026.
KDI condemned the incident and called for a transparent and impartial investigation to ensure accountability for those responsible.
In response to the growing tensions, the organisation announced the establishment of the Osun State Peace and Mediation Working Committee (SPMWC), a multi-stakeholder platform designed to support dialogue, mediation, conflict prevention, and confidence-building before, during, and after the election.
According to KDI, the committee will work closely with political parties, security agencies, INEC, traditional institutions, youth and women groups, media organisations, and civil society actors to strengthen peace efforts and reduce the risk of violence in identified hotspots.
The organisation further urged political parties and candidates to embrace issue-based campaigns, avoid inflammatory rhetoric, and ensure that their supporters conduct themselves peacefully throughout the electoral process.
Security agencies were advised to deploy intelligence-led operations in flashpoints, investigate all reported incidents without bias, and strengthen collaboration with relevant stakeholders to improve early warning and rapid response mechanisms.
KDI also called on INEC to sustain voter education, improve stakeholder engagement, enforce electoral regulations, and maintain transparent communication capable of reducing misinformation and public distrust.
Addressing citizens, the organisation urged voters to reject violence, vote-buying, intimidation, and other actions capable of undermining the integrity of the election.
As political campaigns gather momentum across the state, KDI stressed that Osun's democratic heritage must not be tarnished by bloodshed, fear, or political desperation.
"The lives of Osun citizens matter. The credibility of the election matters. The peace of communities matters," the organisation stated, reaffirming its commitment to supporting peaceful, credible, inclusive, and secure elections in Osun State and across Nigeria.
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