KDI Set Up Peace Committee as Osun Records 44 Election-related Violent Incidents Ahead Of Aug 15 Poll

OSUN: Ahead of the August 15, 2026 governorship election, Kimpact Development Initiative (KDI) has expressed concern over the increasing cases of violence, intimidation, destruction of property and insecurity across Osun State.

The civil society organisation warned that the escalating tension poses a serious threat to the credibility of the electoral process and called on political parties, candidates, security agencies, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), traditional rulers, religious leaders and citizens to take urgent steps to prevent further violence.

Addressing journalists in a press conference in Osogbo on Thursday, the Executive Director of KDI, Bukola Idowu, said elections should not be treated as warfare but as a democratic process through which citizens freely choose their leaders.

According to him, “Elections are not war. They are civic processes through which citizens freely choose their leaders, debate policy choices, and renew democratic legitimacy. No political ambition, party interest, or electoral calculation is worth the life, dignity, safety, or peace of any citizen.”

KDI disclosed that its ongoing pre-election observation and violence monitoring activities documented 44 election-related violent incidents across Osun State between October 2025 and June 2026, resulting in 13 fatalities, multiple injuries, destruction of property and growing fear among residents.

The organisation also recorded 24 non-election-related violent incidents within the same period, which led to 23 deaths.

“Twenty-six of the 44 verified election-related incidents during the monitoring period occurred in May and June 2026 alone, representing 59.1 percent of all verified election-related violence. This concentration of incidents barely two months preceding the election constitutes a significant early warning signal that must not be ignored and requires urgent preventive action,” Idowu stated.

KDI’s Election Security Risk Assessment (ESRA) further identified shootings, physical assaults, verbal threats, intimidation and destruction of property as major forms of violence currently threatening the electoral environment.

The organisation noted that Osogbo Local Government Area, particularly Olaiya, Oke-Fia and Aregbe areas, recorded the highest concentration of election-related violence, while incidents reported in Owode-Ede and other communities continue to raise concerns over public safety and voter confidence.

KDI specifically condemned the killing of a 14-year-old boy, Ezekiel Olapade, who was reportedly fatally wounded during a violent incident in Ilobu, Irepodun Local Government Area, on June 21, 2026.

“Most tragically, available reports indicate that on 21 June 2026, a 14-year-old boy, Ezekiel Olapade, was fatally wounded during a violent incident in Ilobu, Irepodun Local Government Area. 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,” the organisation said.

KDI called for a prompt, impartial and transparent investigation into the incident and other acts of violence, urging authorities to ensure that perpetrators are brought to justice.

As part of efforts to address the situation, the organisation announced the establishment of the Osun State Peace and Mediation Working Committee (SPMWC), a multi-stakeholder platform designed to support dialogue, mediation and conflict prevention before, during and after the election.

The Secretary of the committee, Dare Adeoye, noted that the committee will engage political parties, security agencies, INEC, traditional rulers, religious leaders, youth and women groups, media organisations and civil society groups to promote peace and reduce tensions across the state.

The organisation urged political parties and candidates to commit to peaceful campaigns, avoid inflammatory rhetoric and ensure their supporters conduct themselves responsibly.

KDI also called on security agencies to deploy intelligence-led preventive measures in identified hotspots, investigate all reported incidents, including the killing of Ezekiel Olapade, and maintain professionalism and neutrality in the discharge of their duties.

The organisation appealed to INEC to sustain voter education, stakeholder engagement and transparent communication while urging citizens to reject violence, vote-buying and intimidation.

It also stressed that Osun’s democratic reputation must not be undermined by political desperation, violence or impunity, expressing hope that the August 15 governorship election would be remembered for peaceful participation, credible competition and informed voter choice rather than bloodshed and fear.