Bloodshed and fear grip Osun State ahead of governorship election

Osun State in Nigeria is experiencing a wave of political violence just two months before its governorship election, casting a shadow over the prospect of a peaceful poll. Once known as the "State of the Virtuous," Osun is increasingly caught in a cycle of violence, with non-state actors reportedly operating with significant freedom.

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The childhood shows the man, as morning shows the day.

Residents are witnessing a disturbing rise in violent clashes, resulting in injuries and deaths among participants and bystanders alike. Political thugs, allegedly armed by major parties, are said to be acting with increasing boldness, leading many observers to believe the law's reach has been significantly curtailed.

The current wave of unrest appears to have ignited in February 2025. This followed a Court of Appeal ruling that allowed local government chairmen, initially elected on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in October 2022, to return to their offices. This judgment came after a Federal High Court had previously sacked them.

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The long arm of the law, many observers say, seems to have been shortened in the rising political violence in the state.

The situation intensified when these APC chairmen attempted to reclaim council secretariats on February 17, facing resistance from loyalists of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). The confrontation quickly turned violent, with police reporting six deaths, including a returning APC chairman. Since this incident, the state has struggled to restore peace, with violence continuing to spread amid what critics describe as the apparent indifference of security agencies.

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True to their vow to reclaim the council secretariats, the APC’s LG chairmen stormed local government offices across the state on February 17 and met stiff resistance from PDP loyalists. The confrontation turned violent.