Osun State faces escalating political violence ahead of governorship election

The situation, described as a "toxic politics," has led to fear and uncertainty among the populace. The crisis stems from a dispute over local government control, which began four years ago following a challenged and later nullified LG election at the end of former Governor Gboyega Oyetola's administration. Governor Ademola Adeleke subsequently organized another council election, leading to conflicting judicial pronouncements and clashes between supporters of the All Progressives Congress and the Peoples Democratic Party.

This conflict has resulted in fatalities, including the shooting death of former Irewole LGA chairman Remi Abbas and approximately six others on February 17, 2025. The Nigeria Police Force confirmed investigating about 30 politically motivated killings ahead of the election. Recent controversies, such as the arrest and release of the Secretary to the State Government and the freezing of Osun State's accounts by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, have further exacerbated public anxiety.

President Bola Tinubu has been urged to ensure federal institutions maintain neutrality to prevent the election from being manipulated or tainted by violence, drawing parallels to historical periods of political unrest in Nigeria, such as 'Operation Wetie' in 1965 and the 1983 crises in old Ondo and Oyo states.