EiE Condemns Escalating Violence Ahead of Osun Governorship Election

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info@eienigeria.org

August 13, 2026
Lagos, Nigeria

For Immediate Release 

Press Statement

EiE Nigeria Condemns Escalating Threats and Violence Ahead of Osun State Governorship Election

With two days to the August 15, 2026 governorship election in Osun State, Enough is Enough (EiE) Nigeria is concerned by the escalation of political threats, intimidation and reported violence in the final days of the campaign.

These developments are occurring against a broader pattern of electoral violence in the state. According to the Kimpact Development Initiative (KDI), 44 election-related violent incidents were recorded in Osun between October 2025 and June 2026, resulting in 13 fatalities. Twenty-six of these incidents occurred in May and June alone. 

In recent days, Senator Francis Fadahunsi (APC, Osun East) was captured on video in Ilesa making remarks interpreted as a threat against members of the Accord Party. The Osun State Police Command subsequently invited Senator Fadahunsi for questioning over the remarks. He was later released by the police. His media office has since described the comments as a “political metaphor” for defeating Accord at the polls. On the other hand, Senator Fadahunsi described the video as AI-generated, so which is it? A political metaphor or an AI-generated video? 

Separately, Francis Eniade, the APC candidate for Ifelodun/Boripe/Odo-Otin Federal Constituency, was recorded at a campaign rally warning Accord Party members against voting in Odo-Otin Local Government Area on election day. The remarks prompted Osun State House of Assembly Speaker Adewale Egbedun to petition the Inspector-General of Police over alleged threats arising from the incident. There have also been reports and images alleging that Mr Eniade was subsequently attacked in an incident linked to the Speaker’s camp, with claims of injuries and damage to vehicles.

The combination of threats, attempts at voter intimidation and allegations of retaliatory violence in the final days before the election is deeply concerning. No political competition should put citizens in a position where they must choose between exercising their right to vote and their personal safety.

We therefore call on:

1. The Nigeria Police Force and other security agencies to investigate all reported threats, intimidation and violence impartially, including the allegations involving Senator Fadahunsi, Mr Eniade and other political actors. Where offences are established, those responsible must be held accountable, irrespective of political affiliation or position. 
2. The Inspector-General of Police and security leadership in Osun to use the next 48 hours to de-escalate tensions and ensure adequate and professional security throughout the electoral process. This must include the movement of voters and election personnel, polling units, election materials, and the counting and collation of results.
3. INEC to provide clear and timely information on voting and collation arrangements, particularly in areas where political tensions have been reported, and to ensure that election officials can perform their duties without intimidation or interference.
4. Political parties, candidates, and their supporters to immediately reject threats and violence and give clear instructions to their supporters, agents, and political networks to respect every citizen’s right to vote. Any dispute arising from the election must be pursued through lawful channels.

To the people of Osun: do not allow political intimidation to keep you away from the ballot. Your vote belongs to you. No candidate, party or political supporter has the right to determine who you vote for or whether you vote at all.

Plan ahead for Saturday. Know your polling unit, know how to get there, and make your way to the polls safely. gotomypu.com is available to help Osun voters locate their polling units and get directions before heading out to vote.

If you witness or experience threats, violence or other electoral irregularities, report them to the appropriate authorities and seek assistance where necessary.

EiE Nigeria is deploying trained citizen observers across Local Government Areas in Osun State as part of our election observation effort. Our observers will monitor the process before, during and after voting, with particular attention to voter access, intimidation and violence, polling-unit procedures, counting and the collation of results. We will document our observations and contribute to an independent account of the election’s conduct.

The August 15 election must be decided by voters, not by threats, intimidation or violence. Every Osun voter should be able to cast their ballot freely and safely, and every political actor must respect that right.

EiE Nigeria will continue to observe, document and speak up throughout the electoral process.

Enough is Enough Nigeria (www.eie.ng) is a network of individuals and organisations committed to instituting a culture of good governance and public accountability in Nigeria through active citizenship. EiE’s #RSVP – Register | Select | Vote | Protect is a key voter education campaign. EiE was an integral part of the #OccupyNigeria movement in 2012 and is very active in the #OpenNASS and #OfficeOftheCitizen campaigns.