Reported by: Ijeoma G | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
The Nigerian Bar Association has issued a stark and urgent warning to political actors, security agencies, and electoral officials, declaring that Osun State must not be allowed to go up in flames over the pursuit of political power, as the association decried rising political violence and confirmed the deployment of its National Election Observers Team ahead of Saturday's governorship election.
The NBA President, Mazi Afam Osigwe, SAN, made the call during a series of stakeholder engagements in Osun State on Wednesday, August 12, 2026, leading a high-powered delegation to meet with the Resident Electoral Commissioner of the Independent National Electoral Commission, Mrs Oluwatoyin O. Babalola, as well as senior police officers overseeing election security in the state. Osigwe warned that the only acceptable outcome of the election must be one that reflects the freely expressed will of Osun voters, and that no life should be lost in the pursuit of political power.
“Osun must not be allowed to go up in flames and no life should be lost in the pursuit of political power,” Osigwe declared at a press conference held at the NBA Osogbo Bar Centre.
The NBA president expressed deep concern over the spate of attacks recorded in the build-up to the election, revealing that available data showed about 73 reported election violence-related incidents had been recorded so far. He also noted that one report had cited a death toll of about 29 between May and July, with violence appearing to have intensified in recent days. Osigwe stressed that the violence was not spontaneous but orchestrated and coordinated.
“From all the feedback and all the reports we have got, the violence that has taken place in Osun State and which is related to this election is not spontaneous. They are orchestrated; they are planned and coordinated,” Osigwe said.
The NBA president identified Osogbo and Ilesa as the two major flashpoints, accounting for over 50 per cent of the reported violence cases. He appealed to security personnel deployed for the poll to remain neutral and carry out their statutory duties without aiding any political party. “Many policemen, civil defence, correctional officers, NDLEA and other paramedics and soldiers have been deployed to Osun State. While we appreciate the work they are doing and the work they are statutorily required to do, we will also use this opportunity to plead with them to be neutral,” he said. “They should only carry out their statutory duties and not use their presence to aid any party, but to ensure the security of the INEC officials and every other person, voters and every person who has a role to play in the electoral process. The whole world is watching.”
During the meeting with the REC, Osigwe congratulated Babalola on her appointment as the first female REC in Osun State and urged her to discharge her constitutional responsibilities with integrity, impartiality, and courage. Babalola assured the NBA delegation that INEC was fully prepared for the election, revealing that extensive training had been conducted for election personnel to minimise human error and ensure the integrity of the electoral process. She also explained that recent disturbances in parts of the state were largely attributable to cult-related clashes rather than politically motivated violence, while giving voters the assurance that “every single vote will count”.
The NBA delegation also met with the Deputy Inspector-General of Police, DIG Mohammed Ishaku, and other senior police officers overseeing election security in the state. Ishaku assured the delegation that the Nigeria Police Force had put in place comprehensive security arrangements to guarantee a peaceful and credible election, disclosing that a massive deployment of police personnel had commenced across the state, with additional officers expected to arrive before election day to ensure adequate security coverage.
The NBA has deployed its National Election Observers Team to Osun State, led by Festus Okoye, Chairman of the NBA Election Working Group. The team arrived in the state on Friday to monitor the conduct of the election and promote compliance with electoral laws and the rule of law. The deployment came amid heightened attention to security, political tensions, and the credibility of the electoral process ahead of the election.
The association's stakeholder engagements come amid heightened political tension ahead of Saturday's poll, with political parties, civil society organisations and other stakeholders raising concerns over threats, intimidation and possible electoral violence. The election is scheduled to hold on Saturday, August 15, with candidates of 14 political parties cleared to contest the poll, including the incumbent candidate, Ademola Adeleke of the Accord Party, and Bola Oyebamiji of the All Progressives Congress.
Osigwe called on all institutions and individuals involved in the electoral process to remain strictly neutral and refrain from deploying their offices, powers or influence in favour of any candidate or political party. He also appealed to all political actors to place the interest of the state above partisan considerations, urging them to reject violence, intimidation and electoral malpractice. Addressing members of the legal profession, he encouraged lawyers serving as election observers to remain steadfast in defending democracy, uphold the truth at all times, and discharge their responsibilities with courage, professionalism and impartiality, while taking every necessary precaution to ensure their personal safety throughout the exercise.
As Osun heads to the polls, the NBA has reaffirmed its commitment to safeguarding the integrity of Nigeria's democracy and expressed optimism that the election will be conducted in a manner that is peaceful, credible and reflective of the sovereign will of the people.
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