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From Lateef Dada, Osogbo
Kimpact Development Initiative (KDI), has raised the alarm over rising violence, intimidation, destruction of property and insecurity ahead of the August 15 governorship election in Osun State.
Speaking with journalists in Osogbo, the Executive Director of KDI, Bukola Idowu, disclosed that the organisation had documented 44 election-related violent incidents across the state between October 2025 and June 2026.
According to him, “These incidents have resulted in 13 recorded fatalities, multiple injuries, destruction of property and heightened fear among residents.
“KDI also documented 24 non-election-related violent incidents during the same period, resulting in 23 fatalities, underscoring that the election is unfolding within a broader security environment that requires careful management.
“Particularly concerning is the pace of escalation of electoral violence. Twenty-six of the 44 verified election-related incidents recorded during the monitoring period occurred in May and June 2026 alone, representing 59.1 per cent of all verified election-related violence. This concentration of incidents barely two months before the election constitutes a significant early warning signal that must not be ignored and requires urgent preventive action.”
He appealed to political parties, candidates, campaign councils, youth groups, security agencies, INEC, traditional and religious institutions, the media, civil society organisations and citizens to take urgent, visible and coordinated steps to de-escalate tensions and protect the credibility of the electoral process.
“KDI urges every political leader to speak peace, organise peacefully, campaign responsibly and restrain supporters. We urge security agencies to act early, fairly and firmly.
“We urge INEC to sustain transparency and confidence-building. We urge citizens to reject violence and protect the democratic space. We urge the media to inform, not inflame. We urge traditional, religious, women and youth leaders to continue serving as voices of calm and conscience,” Idowu added.
He disclosed that KDI had established the Osun State Peace and Mediation Working Committee (SPMWC) as a multi-stakeholder peacebuilding platform to support preventive engagement, dialogue, mediation and confidence-building before, during and after the election.
He said the committee would engage political actors, security agencies, INEC, traditional and religious leaders, youth and women groups, the media, civil society organisations and community stakeholders to promote peace and reduce the risk of violence.
