The Nigeria Union of Journalists, NUJ, Osun State Council, has condemned the rising wave of political violence ahead of the August 15, 2026 governorship election.
The union also warned that the trend poses a serious threat to peace, public safety and the democratic process.
The Council expressed concern over increasing reports of killings, intimidation and destruction of property linked to political activities, saying the situation could undermine the credibility of the election if urgent steps were not taken to curb the violence.
In a statement jointly signed by the Osun NUJ Chairman, Adeyemi Aboderin, and the Secretary, Olalekan Akindoju, the union cited a report by the Kimpact Development Initiative, KDI, which recorded 44 election-related violent incidents across the state between October 2025 and June 2026.
According to the statement, the incidents reportedly resulted in the deaths of 13 people, a development the Council described as alarming and requiring immediate intervention by all stakeholders.
“The figures should serve as a wake-up call to all stakeholders. No political ambition is worth the loss of human lives,” the statement said.
The Council called on security agencies to intensify efforts to prevent further violence by protecting lives and property, maintaining professionalism and impartiality, and ensuring that those responsible for violent acts were brought to justice regardless of their political affiliations.
It also urged political parties, governorship candidates and their supporters to conduct peaceful campaigns centred on issues affecting the people, rather than engaging in actions capable of fuelling unrest.
“The NUJ cautions political leaders against making
