The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) says comprehensive risk assessments and close collaboration with security agencies remain key to ensuring a peaceful governorship election in Osun State.
The commission disclosed that it is working with security agencies to strengthen safety measures ahead of the August 15 poll.
Speaking at a stakeholders’ meeting in Osogbo, the Resident Electoral Commissioner for Osun, Oluwatoyin Babalola, said INEC had completed security assessments across all 30 local government areas and shared its findings with relevant agencies to aid election planning.
The meeting, convened by Adegoke Fayoade, the Deputy Inspector-General of Police in charge of the South-West, brought together heads of security agencies, electoral officials, religious leaders and media representatives. The Osun State Commissioner of Police, Ibrahim Gotan, was also present.
Babalola noted that INEC had entered its “amber zone” of election preparations and had trained personnel in risk management to improve operational readiness.
She explained that field officers would be deployed for on-the-ground verification and further risk assessments across the state’s 30 councils.
According to her, the commission identified 385 locations considered security flashpoints and had already shared the information with security agencies to support strategic planning.
She also revealed that nearly 200 hard-to-reach communities had been mapped out, noting that some areas remain inaccessible by road and would require special logistics arrangements on election day.
Babalola added that she had visited 29 of the state’s 30 local government areas, including Ila and Ifedayo, where kidnapping cases had been reported, and said security agencies had assured the commission of adequate protection before, during and after the poll.
On logistics, she disclosed that about 75 per cent of election materials had already been received, while non-sensitive materials had been distributed to designated locations.
She stressed that voter turnout would largely depend on the security situation, adding that peaceful conditions are crucial for a successful election.
Babalola urged security agencies to sustain and intensify efforts to reassure residents, while reaffirming INEC’s commitment to delivering a free, fair, credible, inclusive and transparent governorship election.
Incumbent Governor Ademola Adeleke will seek re-election on August 15 against other contenders, including Bola Oyebamiji of the All Progressives Congress and Najeem Salaam of the African Democratic Congress.
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BACKSTORY:
The build-up to the Osun State governorship election has been marked by heightened political activities and growing concerns over security, particularly in areas previously affected by violence, kidnappings and clashes between rival party supporters.
In the last governorship election in 2022, Ademola Adeleke of the Peoples Democratic Party defeated the then-incumbent governor, Gboyega Oyetola of the All Progressives Congress, in a keenly contested poll that later went through legal battles before Adeleke’s victory was upheld by the Supreme Court.
Since then, Osun’s political landscape has remained tense, with both the ruling PDP and opposition APC intensifying grassroots mobilization ahead of the 2026 election. Security concerns have also been amplified by reported kidnapping incidents in parts of the state, especially in rural communities, prompting INEC and security agencies to prioritize risk assessment and preventive measures.
The August 15 poll is expected to be another major test of electoral credibility and security management in the South-West.
