•The major contenders
There is a security blanket over Osun State to forestall further violence and ensure a crisis-free electoral process in Saturday’s governorship election.
The contest has been hot and volatile.
The ruling Accord and the All Progressives Congress (APC) are locked in a fierce battle to control the government.
This has led to pockets of violence in parts of the state, reports The Nation.
Many people, mostly believed to be cultists supporting political parties, have been killed.
Some non-governmental organisations (NGOs) collating reports of the violent attacks have put the number of deaths at more than 30.
The latest killing occurred in Ilesa, a major commercial town in the state, on Tuesday, leading to the death of three people and the alleged cumulative killing of 12 people within 24 hours, believed to be supporters of the APC.
An angry Senator Francis Adenigba Fadahunsi (Osun East) made an outburst in Yoruba while addressing angry supporters in front of the palace of the Owa Obokun of Ijesaland.
The video went viral, with Governor Ademola Adeleke calling for his arrest for making an inciting comment.
Fadahunsi appeared before the Commissioner of Police yesterday.
He clarified that his comment was misinterpreted and that the 38-minute video had been edited out of context.
He insisted that what he said was not an order to kill Accord members, but that they should “kill” Accord with their votes on Saturday.
There has already been a massive deployment of soldiers, policemen and Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) officers to reassure voters of their security.
The soldiers, dressed in camouflage, moved around in trucks, especially in Osogbo, the state capital.
They have also been patrolling hotspots, including Fagbewesa, Ola-Iya, Old Garage, Oke-Fia, Oke-Baale and Ilesa Garage.
At 7pm last night, another contingent of military personnel drove into Osogbo.
More policemen of the Special Protection Unit (SPU), Mobile Police and Intelligence Response Team (IRT), among others, arrived from Kwara, Oyo and Delta states in about 25 buses, with more expected.
NSCDC men are arriving in batches.
Police warn troublemakers
The police warned troublemakers to stay away from the election to be held across the 30 local government areas.
Inspector-General of Police Tunji Disu said there was no room for violence.
He urged candidates and party leaders to steer their supporters away from thuggery.
Disu, who has deployed the Deputy Inspector-General of Police (DIG), Ishyaku Mohammed, to take charge, said thugs and hoodlums would have themselves to blame.
He said in a statement by the Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Ani Iniedu, that the police would not renege on their commitment to professionalism, neutrality, respect for human rights and the protection of the electoral process.
The stage is set for the poll, as the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) is expected to begin the distribution of sensitive materials to the local governments today.
Adeleke declared tomorrow a public holiday.
Head of Service, Mr Ayanleye Aina, said in a statement that the move would enable workers to travel and make preparations to vote.
Adeleke’s media aide, Olawale Rasheed, also quoted him in another statement as saying that the holiday directive covered all categories of workers, except those on emergency and essential duties.
APC leaders, including Senate President Godswill Akpabio; Chairman of the Progressive Governors’ Forum, Governor Hope Uzodinma (Imo); Governors Lucky Aiyedatiwa (Ondo), Monday Okpebholo (Edo) and Usman Ododo (Kogi); and House of Representatives member James Faleke (Ikeja Constituency), arrived in Osogbo ahead of today’s mega rally.
The rally is part of the APC’s final mobilisation for its governorship candidate, Asiwaju Munirudeen Bola Oyebamiji (AMBO).
The Accord, African Democratic Congress (ADC) and African Action Congress (AAC), led by Omoyele Sowore, intensified last-minute mobilisation for their candidates.
Sowore: We’re fielding a competent candidate
Sowore, presidential candidate of the AAC, said the party was fielding a competent candidate capable of liberating Osun from poor leadership.
Speaking at a rally held in the Ayetoro area of Osogbo, he said: “Don’t let them deceive you, other political parties are the reason why we are backwards as a state and nation.
“We are level-headed, and that is why we picked a competent candidate to liberate the state from the servitude shackles that our leaders have always wanted us to be in. But we, as a movement of Revolution Now, are changing that starting from Osun State.”
He charged the electorate to monitor their votes to ensure that they counted.
Lauding the mobilisation by the party, Sowore said: “I am encouraged by the great numbers of people who received me into the state. I want you all to vote for Olajide Esan.”
ADC alleges plan to arrest Aregbesola
The ADC raised the alarm over alleged plans to arrest its National Secretary, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, ahead of the poll.
The party warned that the move could heighten tension in the state.
ADC National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, said in a statement that the party had received “credible reports” of plans to effect the arrest.
He said the allegation was particularly worrisome, judging by the pattern of “intimidation, harassment and misuse of state institutions.”
Abdullahi said if any security agency had lawful grounds to invite Aregbesola, established procedures should be followed.
He said arresting him on the eve of an election could be interpreted as an attempt to disrupt his role in the election.
Abdullahi said: “We therefore put the federal government and the security agencies on notice. The eyes of Nigerians are on Osun.
“Whatever happens before, during and after Saturday’s election will be judged not by the explanations offered afterwards, but by the actions taken now.”
Fadahunsi meets CP
Fadahunsi arrived at the Osun State Police Command at about 2:25pm, accompanied by one of his aides.
The senator, who initially headed towards the office of the Commissioner of Police, was stopped along the way and directed to the Department of Criminal Investigation (CID), where he was led into an investigation room by the Commissioner of Police in charge of election duty, Samuel Erale Etifo.
Reporters were barred from the investigation room, a separate building away from the office of the Commissioner of Police, where the senator spent about one hour and 57 minutes.
He was subsequently taken to the office of the Commissioner of Police, where he spent another 20 minutes before being returned to the CID.
Fadahunsi was later joined at the CID by a former Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Adebayo Adeleke, and a lawyer, Edmund Biriomoni.
The police later released Fadahunsi.
Speaking to reporters, the senator clarified the statement attributed to him.
He said: “I came here to honour the police invitation. I told them what I said, not the one manipulated by the mischievous interpreters of the Yoruba language.
“I am a Yoruba man. If a Hausa or Igbo person is interpreting, it may not be correct. Yoruba means a lot of things.
“What I said was that between now and Saturday, we will kill them with our votes.”
Fadahunsi expressed concern over the security situation in Osun East, alleging that Adeleke was turning the district into a battleground while his hometown remained peaceful.
He said: “It is worrisome, but we have left the whole thing to the owner of life. Come Saturday, you will see a marvellous turnout for APC.”
Fadahunsi expressed confidence that APC members would come out en masse to vote for the party’s governorship candidate, despite the intimidation by thugs.
He left the premises of the police command at about 4:58pm.
INEC includes SDP candidate Ajala on ballot
INEC has included the Social Democratic Party (SDP) candidate, Francis Olugbenga Ajala, and his running mate, Faseke Babajimi Oladipo, on the ballot.
National Commissioner and Chairman, Information and Voter Education Commission, Mohammed Haruna, said in a statement that the inclusion of Ajala on the ballot followed the judgment of the Federal High Court in Abuja.
He said: “The action has been taken in compliance with the judgment of the Federal High Court, Abuja, delivered on 22nd July 2026 in Suit No. FHC/ABJ/CS/344/2026, between Social Democratic Party and Dr. Francis Olugbenga Ajala on the one hand and the Independent National Electoral Commission on the other.
“The Court had ordered the Commission to forthwith recognise, accept, upload, process and publish the name and particulars of Dr. Francis Olugbenga Ajala as the candidate of the Social Democratic Party.
“Consequently, the ballot papers for the election, scheduled to hold on Saturday, 15th August 2026, are being reproduced to reflect this addition, bringing to fifteen (15) the total number of political parties contesting the election. The result sheets for the election are also being reproduced alongside the ballot papers to reflect the inclusion of the SDP candidate.
“The Commission wishes to inform the public that the reproduced ballot papers will arrive on Thursday (today) and will, on the same day, be moved to LGA offices across the state, in line with its standard distribution procedure ahead of the election.
“INEC assures political parties, candidates and the general public of its commitment to conducting a free, fair and credible election.”
NBA advocates neutrality, rule of law
Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) called on electoral officials, security agencies, political actors and public office holders to uphold the rule of law and remain neutral ahead of Saturday’s election.
Its President, Mazi Afam Osigwe (SAN), spoke after leading a delegation on separate visits to INEC and the police in Osun State as part of efforts to promote a free, fair, credible and peaceful poll.
He urged all institutions and individuals involved in the electoral process to refrain from using their offices or influence in favour of any candidate or political party.
“The only acceptable outcome is one that genuinely reflects the freely expressed will of the people of Osun State,” the SAN said.
During a visit to the Osun Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Mrs Oluwatoyin Babalola, Osigwe congratulated her on becoming the state’s first female REC and urged her to discharge her constitutional responsibilities with integrity, impartiality and courage.
Babalola assured the delegation that INEC was fully prepared for the election, saying election personnel had undergone extensive training to minimise human error and safeguard the integrity of the process.
She also dismissed concerns over insecurity, explaining that recent disturbances in parts of the state were largely cult-related rather than politically motivated.
According to her, INEC has intensified voter education and engagement with students and other stakeholders to encourage peaceful participation in the election.
She assured Nigerians that every valid vote would count.
The NBA delegation also met with DIG Mohammed, who said the police had put in place comprehensive security arrangements, with more men expected.
