Political tensions in Osun State are intensifying ahead of the August 15 governorship election, with recurring violence, rising insecurity and fresh accusations between the ruling Accord Party and the All Progressives Congress heightening concerns among residents.
Governor Ademola Adeleke recently accused elements within the Osun APC of plotting to disrupt the electoral process, claiming the opposition had become desperate after realising it faced defeat at the polls.
According to a statement issued by his spokesperson, Olawale Rasheed, Adeleke alleged that opinion surveys showed strong public support for his administration and declining popularity for the opposition.
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“Having seen clearly that Osun people have rejected them, they are now resorting to anti-democratic means in a last-ditch effort to secure power,” the governor said.
But the APC dismissed the allegation, insisting Adeleke was worried about losing support ahead of the election.
Osun APC spokesperson Kola Olabisi argued that several influential politicians had left the governor’s camp and maintained that voters would determine the outcome at the ballot box.
The latest political exchanges come amid growing fears over violence that has persisted in the state since the local government crisis that erupted in February 2025.
The unrest followed attempts by APC-elected local government chairmen to reclaim council secretariats after a Court of Appeal judgment, leading to deadly clashes in several communities.
Police said six people, including Irewole Local Government chairman Remi Abbas, lost their lives during the violence.
Since then, reports of attacks, shootings and reprisals have continued.
Recent clashes in Ile-Ife involving supporters of rival parties reportedly spread to parts of Osogbo, causing panic and leaving some residents injured.
Fear has also forced many citizens to hide their political identities.
Some residents say they no longer wear party-branded items or display political symbols publicly because of safety concerns.
The ruling Accord Party has accused the APC of sponsoring attacks on its members, while the opposition claims several of its supporters have equally been killed in politically motivated incidents.
Osun Commissioner of Police Mohammed Umar Abba Gotan, however, insists that many of the violent incidents are linked to cult-related activities.
He said security agencies had arrested suspects, recovered weapons and intensified surveillance efforts ahead of the governorship election.
Civil society groups have urged politicians to abandon violence and embrace issue-based campaigns.
They also called on security agencies to remain impartial and ensure that perpetrators are brought to justice.
With less than two months to the election, many residents fear that failure to curb political violence could further erode confidence in the democratic process in a state once celebrated as the “State of the Virtuous.”
