Institute raises the alarm over rising political violence in Osun

The World Institute for Peace has issued a stark warning regarding the escalating political violence in Osun State and other regions of Nigeria. The organization fears that the deteriorating security situation could devolve into a state of emergency if security agencies do not intervene decisively ahead of the upcoming governorship election.

Lamina Omotoyosi, the Executive Director of the institute, sounded the alarm on Monday in Abuja. He submitted petitions to the Inspector General of Police, the Director General of the Department of State Services, and the Commandant General of the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps. Omotoyosi urged these agencies to take immediate steps to curb political thuggery nationwide.

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If the political thuggery that is going on or that is rocking our dear state Osun, if the security agencies refuse to put an end to it, I want to tell you that it may resort to a kind of state of emergency.

He explained that the petitions were prompted by growing concerns over a new wave of politically motivated violence sweeping through Osun State. Omotoyosi stated that several individuals have been murdered in recent months under circumstances linked to political rivalries. "If the political thuggery that is going on or that is rocking our dear state Osun, if the security agencies refuse to put an end to it, I want to tell you that it may resort to a kind of state of emergency," he warned.

Omotoyosi connected the current crisis in Osun to a broader national pattern of violence sponsored by politicians. He cited conflicts in Borno, Adamawa, and Kebbi states as examples of how unchecked thuggery has fueled deeper instability across the country. "The political violence emanates from the manner in which our politicians from various political parties have been sponsoring political thugs across the nation. So this also is happening in Osun," he said. The peace advocate recalled that his organization had previously raised similar concerns in 2023, sending letters to then-President Muhammadu Buhari and other security chiefs, warning of the consequences of allowing political thuggery to continue unchecked. He noted that in 2022, political violence in Osun claimed over 30 lives, a tragedy that appears to be repeating itself as the election cycle approaches. Omotoyosi expressed particular concern that these killings could trigger retaliatory violence, further inflaming tensions and making a free and fair election nearly impossible.

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The political violence emanates from the manner in which our politicians from various political parties have been sponsoring political thugs across the nation. So this also is happening in Osun.