The Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC) has called for urgent measures to guarantee a peaceful and credible Osun State governorship election amid concerns over reported killings, electoral violence, political intimidation and vote buying.
CISLAC made the call ahead of the August 15 governorship election, warning that the reported incidents and growing tensions across parts of the state could undermine the credibility of the poll and discourage citizens from exercising their right to vote.
According to an official statement signed by Comrade Auwal Musa Rafsanjani, Executive Director of CISLAC and Transparency International Nigeria, the organisation’s independent monitoring, media reports and ongoing assessments of the electoral environment indicate a worrying pattern of violence, intimidation and alleged voter inducement.
CISLAC said several election-related incidents had been reported in different parts of the state, including killings, shootings, clashes, attacks on political gatherings, destruction of property and other forms of intimidation.
The organisation cited the reported killing of 14-year-old Ezekiel Olapade in Ilobu, Irepodun Local Government Area, after he was allegedly struck by a stray bullet during a clash.
It also raised concerns over the reported killing of Kolade Eluyera in Irewole Local Government Area, the shooting of a political office holder in Osogbo and the killing of a political youth leader in Esa-Oke.
While acknowledging that the circumstances and responsibility for some of the incidents remained subject to investigation, CISLAC said the reported loss of lives underscored the need for all stakeholders to prioritise peace and the protection of citizens.
The organisation expressed particular concern over the alleged recruitment, financing and deployment of political thugs and other agents of violence to intimidate voters, attack opponents, disrupt political activities and influence electoral outcomes.
On vote buying, CISLAC described the practice as a serious threat to the integrity of the electoral process, warning that the commercialisation of elections exploits economic hardship and weakens citizens’ ability to make independent political choices.
It urged law enforcement and electoral authorities to investigate allegations of electoral offences transparently and prosecute those found culpable in accordance with the law, irrespective of political affiliation or status.
CISLAC also raised concerns over reports of the deployment of armed military personnel to the Osun State office of the Independent National Electoral Commission ahead of the election.
The organisation acknowledged that heightened security measures could become necessary where credible threats exist but insisted that any military deployment connected to an electoral process must have a clear legal and operational basis, remain within its defined mandate and respect the principles of neutrality, proportionality and citizens’ rights.
It called on the relevant authorities to clearly communicate the purpose, scope and legal basis of the military presence and ensure that it does not interfere with electoral officials, intimidate voters or undermine public confidence in the neutrality of the election.
The organisation further urged all security agencies deployed for the poll to maintain professionalism and political neutrality, operate under clear rules of engagement and protect voters, electoral personnel and election materials.
CISLAC called on candidates, political actors and their supporters to reject violence, demobilise agents of intimidation, avoid inflammatory rhetoric and commit to peaceful and issue-based participation.
It also urged the Nigeria Police Force to intensify intelligence-led operations in identified high-risk areas, investigate reported killings and attacks and ensure that offenders are brought to justice.
The organisation called on the Independent National Electoral Commission to conduct all aspects of the election transparently, securely and in accordance with electoral laws and established guidelines.
CISLAC further appealed to traditional rulers, religious leaders, civil society organisations, the media and the National Peace Committee to intensify peace advocacy, voter education and public awareness against electoral violence and vote buying.
The organisation urged the people of Osun State to reject violence, intimidation and electoral inducements and exercise their right to vote freely, peacefully and responsibly.
CISLAC said the credibility of the Osun governorship election would have implications beyond the state, particularly for Nigeria’s democratic development ahead of the 2027 general elections.
It reaffirmed its commitment to monitoring developments before, during and after the election, stressing that democracy can only thrive when citizens are able to freely express their choices without fear, intimidation or financial coercion.
