The Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC) has expressed serious concerns over what it described as “the growing threat of electoral violence, political intimidation and vote buying” ahead of the scheduled Saturday, August 15, 2026, Governorship election in Osun State.
It stressed that the combination of violence, intimidation, voter inducement and heightened security concerns poses a serious threat to the credibility of the Osun governorship election and could have wider implications for Nigeria’s democratic development ahead of the 2027 general elections.
This was as CISLAC particularly raised the red flag over reports of the deployment of armed military personnel to the Osun State office of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) ahead of the election.
A statement by Comrade Auwal Musa Rafsanjani, Executive Director of CISLAC, noted that while extraordinary security measures may be necessary where there are credible threats to lives, electoral materials or critical infrastructure, it however, insisted that any deployment of the military in connection with an electoral process must have a clear legal and operational basis, remain strictly within its defined mandate and be guided by the principles of neutrality, proportionality and respect for the rights of citizens.
CISLAC said; “The relevant authorities should clearly communicate the purpose, scope and legal basis of the military presence at the INEC office and to ensure that the deployment does not interfere with the independence of electoral officials, intimidate voters or undermine public confidence in the neutrality of the electoral process.
It also expressed worries over the activities of some powerful individuals and groups involved in the recruitment, financing and deployment of political thugs and other agents of violence to intimidate voters, attack opponents, disrupt political activities and influence electoral outcomes.
The organisation noted that several unpalatable election-related incidents have been recorded across different parts of the state in recent months, particularly with reports of killings, shootings, clashes, attacks on political gatherings, destruction of property and other forms of intimidation.
CISLAC further said that findings from independent monitoring, media reports and ongoing assessments of the electoral environment clearly indicated a worrying pattern of violence, intimidation and voter inducement that targeted at undermining the credibility of the election as well as discourage citizens from participating freely.
The statement further expressed concerns of reports of the killing of a 14-year-old boy, Ezekiel Olapade, in Ilobu, Irepodun Local Government Area, after he was reportedly struck by a stray bullet during a clash.
According to Rafsanjani; “Other reported incidents include the killing of Kolade Eluyera in Irewole Local Government Area, as well as the shooting of a political office holder in Osogbo and the killing of a political youth leader in Esa-Oke.
“The circumstances and responsibility for some of these incidents remain subject to investigation. The reported loss of lives and increasing tensions across parts of the state demonstrate the urgent need for all stakeholders to prioritise peace and the protection of citizens.
“Such practices create an atmosphere of fear and could prevent citizens from exercising their constitutional right to vote freely and peacefully,” it stated.
CISLAC further expressed concern over reports of vote buying and other forms of voter inducement, describing the practice as a serious threat to the integrity of the electoral process, stressing that the commercialisation of elections by exploiting economic hardship and vulnerability further weakened citizens’ ability to make independent political choices.
The organisation therefore stressed that when votes are treated as commodities, the democratic process is reduced to a transaction rather than a genuine expression of the will of the people.
According to CISLAC; “Recent developments, including the arrest of government officials and other individuals in connection with alleged electoral offences and the reported recovery of cash, Permanent Voter Cards and voter registers, further demonstrate the need for heightened vigilance by law enforcement and electoral authorities.
“The allegations of electoral offences must be investigated transparently and handled strictly in accordance with the law, without political favour or discrimination,” it emphasised.
Accordingly, CISLAC called on all candidates, political actors, supporters and other stakeholders to immediately reject violence, demobilise agents of intimidation, avoid inflammatory rhetoric and commit themselves to peaceful and issue-based participation in the electoral process.
It particularly tasked security agencies, specifically the Nigeria Police Force to maintain strict neutrality, intensify intelligence-led operations in identified high-risk areas, protect voters and electoral personnel, investigate reported killings and attacks, and ensure that anyone found culpable is prosecuted in accordance with the law, irrespective of political affiliation or status.
CISLAC also called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to ensure that all aspects of the electoral process are conducted transparently, securely and in accordance with established laws and guidelines.
It emphasised that democracy can only thrive when citizens are able to express their choices freely, without fear, intimidation or financial coercion.
