NBA Warns of Rising Violence in Osun Poll, Urges Police Neutrality

The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) has voiced strong concerns regarding the escalating political violence in Osun State as the governorship election approaches. Outgoing NBA President Afam Osigwe stated that his team is in the state to monitor the exercise and has documented approximately 73 reported incidents of election violence between May and July. He described the violence as "orchestrated, planned and coordinated," rather than spontaneous, and noted a concerning death toll of about 29 during the same period. Osigwe appealed to politicians to rein in their supporters and put an end to the escalating hostilities. "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 told journalists in Osogbo. The NBA president highlighted Osogbo and Ilesa as the primary flashpoints, accounting for over 50 percent of the reported violence cases. He stressed the importance of preventing violence from intimidating voters or compromising the integrity of the electoral process. "We need to make that point clear that violence should not, in any form or guise, be used to intimidate voters into staying away or being disenfranchised or to cause a lack of integrity in the electoral process," he added. Osigwe also implored the numerous security personnel deployed for the election, including police, civil defense, correctional officers, NDLEA, paramedics, and soldiers, to remain neutral. "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 urged. He emphasized that security agents should perform their duties professionally without aiding any political party, focusing instead on ensuring the safety of election officials and voters.

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Recent incidents in the state made it imperative that we start this election observation earlier than Saturday. Statistics show that there were about 73 reported election violence-related incidents. Also, one report has reported a death toll of about 29 between May and July.