Osun poll: Political actors must shun violence, says ex-AIG

Former Assistant Inspector-General of Police, AIG Abutu Yaro, has warned political actors in Osun State's upcoming governorship election on August 15 to refrain from violence. Yaro, speaking at the public presentation of Kimpact Development Initiative's pre-election security risk assessment, emphasized that political actors must avoid actions that could spark violence.

He stated, "Insecurity does not create itself, it is created by political actors, funded by them, sponsored by them, navigated by them, and designed for their preferred outcome."

Yaro identified 12 local government areas in Osun as high-risk ahead of the election. He stressed that security agencies could only mitigate insecurity if politicians adhered to rules and exercised patriotism. "No matter how prepared the security forces are, in my view, if the political actors do not exercise restraint, do not exercise patriotism, do not play to the rules, certainly, insecurity will thrive," he warned.

Yaro called for timely provision of election logistics, such as vehicles, welfare for election officials, and Permanent Voter Cards. He warned that delays could provoke public anger and lead to violence. The former police chief also urged journalists and social media users to refrain from disseminating unverified information, describing misinformation as a major security threat. He advised the public to rely on information from official sources, including the Independent National Electoral Commission and the police.

Bukola Idowu, Executive Director of Kimpact Development Initiative, noted that the organization's assessment identified 12 local government areas as high-risk. Idowu highlighted inadequate preparedness, particularly in logistics and the functionality of the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System, as factors that could undermine the election. He expressed concern over the neutrality and professionalism of security agencies, noting that their conduct could also trigger violence.

Idowu also warned that Osun's relatively low voter turnout in previous elections could discourage participation in the August 15 poll. He emphasized that the election's outcome would provide insights into the country's preparedness for the 2027 general elections.