Amnesty International on Tuesday called on security agencies and the Nigerian government at all levels to be neutral and protect the rights of the Osun State people to vote freely in Saturday’s governorship election, amid escalating violence in the lead-up to the poll.
In a statement it shared on its official X page, the group said it made the call “amidst disturbing signs of violence, intimidation and allegations of interference.”
It said it had seen signals of looming danger, calling on the relevant authorities to ensure accountability and investigate the recorded incidents, including deaths, and bring the perpetrators to book.
“The authorities at all levels and security agencies must stand neutral and not engage in any act that may or can be perceived to favour any political party or candidate. The right of the people of Osun State to vote freely and fairly in an atmosphere of respect for human rights must be upheld.”
The group, a global movement campaigning against human rights abuses, said “Nigerian authorities must fulfil their obligation to promote, protect, respect, and fulfil human rights…ahead of the Osun State gubernatorial election slated for 15 August 2026.”
A report by Kimpact Development Initiative (KDI), a pro-democracy and electoral reforms advocacy organisation, said on Monday that no fewer than 73 election-related violent incidents resulting in 29 deaths have been recorded in the build-up to the 15 August governorship election in the state.
The report identified 12 high-risk local government areas and called for targeted security operations and political interventions to prevent violence.
It also said the violent incidents appeared to be strategically instigated in politically significant locations to suppress voter turnout.
Amnesty International said in Tuesday’s statement that an investigation by its team “on the ground shows escalating violence and build-up for more clashes in Osogbo, Ede, Ife, Oriade, Ijebu-Ijesha, Ilobu, and Ikire. Fueling the instability and impunity in the state are reports of supporters of some politicians violently targeting political opponents, real or perceived.”
It also urged all political parties to desist from violence and commit to a free and fair election.
Amnesty International also noted that it had received reports of violence, arrests of Osun government officials and alleged plans to “influence the elections.”
For months, Governor Ademola Adeleke, who is seeking a second term in office, and his party, the Accord Party, have questioned the neutrality of federal institutions, particularly the police command in the state, ahead of Saturday’s election.
Among Mr Adeleke’s arch rivals is Bola Oyebamiji, the candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), the party in control of the federal government.
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Concerns about the neutrality of the police and key federal agencies have intesified in the past weeks following the controversial arrest of the Secretary to the Government of Osun State, Teslim Igbalaye, over unsubstantiated vote buying allegation.
Barely a week after Mr Igbalaye’s arrest, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) froze three bank accounts of the Osun State Government in what it said was necessary to stop a fraudulent diversion of the funds belonging to the state.
President Bola Tinubu, who also belongs to the APC which is fielding a frontline candidate in the forthcoming Osun election, said he was embarrassed by the timing of the steps taken by EFCC and directed the commission to immediately take steps to lift the freeze order on the state’s bank accounts.
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