As the state of living spring prepares to the governor for the next four years, on Saturday August 15,2026, the people of the state have been going about their daily businesses in fear. This is due to the widespread political violence in the state, which has forced many people to close shops as early as 6pm to 7 pm.
Mojisola Daniel, who has a shop in Alekuwodo area of Osogbo, said, “In recent days my mother has been calling me to even close the shop by 5pm, but I have to be closing by 6:30 to 7pm, so that my mum’s mind would be at rest.”
Another resident simply identified himself as Abiodun said I usually stay indoors these days because of rising violence, as he said, “May we never witness accidental discharge of bullets” (“aa ni ri asita ibon ooo!”
The reported cases of political violence, threats, shootings and intimidation ahead of the governorship election has made many to stay indoors as the state capital has a worst hit of political violence.
SERAP, a civil society organisation, in a statement revealed that 56 politically related violent incidents and 14 fatalities have been recorded in Osun State over the past 12 months, with 36 incidents reported in May and June alone.
Another report from Pre-Election Security Risk Assessment (ESRA) by the Kimpact Development Initiative (KDI) also identified shootings and killings, physical assaults, intimidation and harassment, kidnappings, destruction of property and verbal attacks among the recurring forms of electoral violence recorded during the assessment period.
Osogbo, the state capital, emerged as the principal electoral violence hotspot in the assessment.
The report recorded 22 incidents in Osogbo, resulting in 15 fatalities, making the state capital the location with the highest concentration of incidents and deaths
Aleem Murtala
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