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Osun State prepares for governorship election amid security concerns
Osun State is preparing for a governorship election on August 15, 2026, amid heightened political tension and reports of violence. The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) confirmed that 1,906,390 registered voters, approximately 81.5 percent of the electorate, have collected their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs). The remaining 426,842 uncollected cards have been secured at the Central Bank of Nigeria.
Security concerns have escalated following the reported killing of an All Progressives Congress (APC) supporter, Ayegbo Oluwadele, in Esa-Oke, and several other alleged incidents of political violence. President Bola Tinubu has assured residents of adequate security and urged INEC to use this off-cycle election as a test of its preparedness for the 2027 general elections. He has directed security agencies to ensure a transparent and peaceful process.
Following a court order, the Social Democratic Party (SDP) was included on the ballot, bringing the total number of contesting candidates to 15. INEC has commenced the distribution of sensitive election materials to the state's 30 local government areas.
Entities
Ademola Adeleke · All Progressives Congress · Bola Ahmed Tinubu · Bola Tinubu · Central Bank of Nigeria · Independent National Electoral Commission · Mohammed Kudu Haruna · Munirudeen Bola Oyebamiji · Nigeria Police Force · Osun State · Social Democratic Party
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how well corroborated each claim is across sources.
- [● 3 SOURCES] Four APC members—Adebayo Dada, Idowu Laide, Ebuke Emmanuel, and Adebiyi Ebenezer—were shot in Atakumasa East, with Dada sustaining severe injuries. businessday.ng · dailytrust.com
- [○ 1 SOURCE] The Accord party campaign council petitioned the National Human Rights Commission for an inquiry into killings and attacks in Esa Oke.
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Ayegbo Oladale and Taiwo Oluwadele were shot near a family compound in Esa-Oke on Wednesday.
- [○ 1 SOURCE] House of Representatives candidate Francis Eniade was attacked in front of the Okuku Divisional Police Station, resulting in associates being macheted or abducted.
- [● 3 SOURCES] Ayegbo Oladale died from injuries sustained in the shooting, while Taiwo Oluwadele was left in critical condition. businessday.ng · dailytrust.com
- [● 3 SOURCES] The APC alleges approximately 40 of its members have been killed in election-related violence in Osun State. businessday.ng · dailytrust.com
- [● 4 SOURCES] Ayegbo Oladale died from injuries sustained in a shooting near a family compound in Esa-Oke. businessday.ng · dailytrust.com · punchng.com
- [● 2 SOURCES] The Nigerian Navy arrested APC House of Assembly candidate Babatunde Komolafe Festus and supporters for allegedly possessing a rifle in a campaign vehicle. thevoicenewsmagazine.com · www.naijanews.com
- [● 9 SOURCES] 426,842 Permanent Voter Cards remain uncollected in Osun State. gwg.ng · theglittersonline.com.ng · www.nationalaccordnewspaper.com · thenigerialawyer.com · nigerianobservernews.com · +1 more
- [○ 1 SOURCE] INEC will deploy the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) to prevent electoral malpractice.
- [● 6 SOURCES] A Federal High Court judgment ordered INEC to include the Social Democratic Party (SDP) on the election ballot. nigerianobservernews.com · primanews.org · blueprint.ng
- [● 3 SOURCES] An APC supporter, Ayegbo Oluwadele, was killed in Esa-Oke, Obokun Local Government Area. gwg.ng · tgnews.com.ng · championnews.com.ng