Nigeria: Pre-Election Statement On the 2026 Osun State Governorship Election

In Nigeria's 2026 Osun State Governorship Election, INEC set the date for the election on 15 August 2026 following changes to the Electoral Act 2026. With pre-election activities concluded, focus now shifts to the election's conduct and integrity. The election tests the readiness of electoral institutions, political actors, security agencies, and the resilience of the information landscape against manipulation.

CJID has monitored the situation and taken steps to bolster electoral integrity, access to truthful information, and citizen participation. The election unfolds amidst political competition, unresolved disputes, political violence, and a turbulent information environment. INEC has identified 385 security flashpoints and 200 challenging locations in Osun, highlighting the need for evidence-based security deployment.

The campaign has seen significant mobilization by political parties and candidates, with incumbent Governor Ademola Adeleke and Bola Oyebamiji as leading contenders. Intimidation, violent incidents, and inflammatory rhetoric have marred the race. CJID urges all candidates and political parties to abide by the law, discouraging violence and advocating for peaceful resolution of conflicts.

Security concerns are paramount, with CJID's Conflict Tracker documenting 13 fatal incidents of election-related violence since May 2026. The election will rely on the performance on election day, during collation, and the transparency of the process. Security agencies must protect voters, electoral officials, journalists, and observers, deploying in accordance with documented risks, not political influence, and avoiding intimidation and political violence.