*** Adeleke,  Oyebamiji, Salaam, 12 others battle for 2.34m voters’ mandate

*** Osun Central, East senatorial districts remain major battle flashpoints with over 1.8m registered voters

***Accord, APC trade blames as killings continue after senator’s “kill” Accord members’ order

***Opposition kicks as military takes over Osun streets

By Eze Nnadi, Nkem Okereh and Ganiyu Olarewaju (Oshogbo)

Analysts have envisaged a poor voter turnout as 15 political parties and their candidates  battle for over two million votes in Saturday’s governorship election in Osun state.

This is as tension has continued to rise across the state with reports of unending killing of suppirtets accross political party lines as the candidates and their political parties end campaign  midnight on Friday  (today).

There were fresh allegations of killing of both the Accord Party (AP) and All Progressives Congress (APC) supportets, barely 24 hours after an alleged comment from the APC Osun east senator, Francis Fadahaunsi, ordering his party’s supporters to kill Accord Party members  during the election.

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) had earlier declared that 15 political parties are participating in the election, with the recent court ordered of the candidate of the Social  Democratic Party (SDP) on the ballot.

INEC has responded to the court order, and reprinted the election ballot papers to include the SDP as the 15th political party in the governorship race.

In the firece battle  for the Osun state Government House included the incumbent, Ademola Adeleke, who is contesting on the platform of the Accord Party, Munirudeen Bola Oyebamiji of the APC, as well as Salaam Folasaye of the African Democratic Congress (ADC).

Other candidates include Olanrewaju Farinloye of the Action Alliance (AA), Esan Olajide of the African Action Congress (AAC), among others, while the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Adedamola Adebayo has announced his withdrawal from the election,  while urging his supporters to vote for the incumbent governor,  Adeleke

The Independent National Electoral Commission in Osun State had formally presented the electronic voter registers to the political  parties.

At the presentation of the documents to the leadership of the political parties at the commission’s head office in Osogbo, the state Resident Electoral Commissioner, Oluwatoyin Babalola, disclosed that a total of 2,339,233 voters registered to participate in the poll.

INEC  declared that the number of registered voters in the state for the 2023 general elections in Osun State was 1,954,800, whike 395,995 voters were registered in Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) exercise ahead of the August 15, 2026 governorship election

“During the 2025/2026 CVR exercise; 26,202 voters transferred to Osun State during the 2025/2026 CVR exercise; 7,125 voters transferred out of Osun State during the 2025/2026 CVR exercise.

“2023 general elections – 1,954,800, 2025/2026 CVR valid – 365,356, transfer to Osun State (2025/2026 CVR) – 26,202, transfer out of Osun State (2025/2026 CVR) – 7,125. The 2026 register of voters – 2,399,233′” the commission stated in its voter registration analysis

From the list made available by INEC, analysts have identified  the Osun central senatorial district,  and Osun east district as the flashpoubts with the highest number of decisive votes in Saturday’s election , accounting for about 1,i808, 227 out the entire votes.

Osun Central,  according to the INEC released list has a registered voter strength of 984, 817, consisting of 42% of the total voters list, while the Osun East senatorial district,  with about 10 local government areas has a total number of 823, 410 registered voters (38%), leaving the Osun West Senatorial District with the remaining 531,006 registered voters (24%).

Any candidate with a strong showing in both Osun Central and Osun East is expected to be at a pole position to win Saturday’s governorship election.

The unrest has heightened concerns that Saturday’s election could record a voter aparthy as there are fears that it could witness further bloodshed, with two people confirmed dead and the Speaker of the Osun State House of Assembly Rt. Hon. Adewale Egbedun, attacked on Wednesday in Okuku, moments after the alleged APC senator’s charge to his supporters.

The Speaker who confirmed the attack in a Facebook post called on the security agencies to investigate, noting that two people have already been arrested and handed over to the security agencies.

Reacting to the deteriorating security situation, the spokesman for the Accord governorship campaign organisation, Pelumi Olajengbesi, in a Facebook post, accused the APC of unleashing its  thugs on Accord Party chieftains and supporters

He wrote, “APC ison a rampage in Esa Oke, attacking Accord members and invading their homes and properties.”

He warned that every act of destruction and killing must be thoroughly investigated, adding that those responsible must be brought to justice.

He disclosed that the situation had been reported to the Department of State Services (DSS), with the Accord party reaching out to international organisations and observers on ground in Osun State.

This is even  as the All Progressives Congress (APC) has called out the supporters of Accord Party  over the alleged killing of one Dele Ayegbo, who it said is the nephew of Wole Oke, the party’s governorship campaign director-general for the state.

The Osun APC in a statement issued on Thursday by its spokesperson,  Kola Olabisi,  Ayegbo was killed in Esa-Oke, Obokun LGA of the state, on Wednesday night.

Olabisi alleged that Ayegbo was assassinated at a junction close to his house in the Idofin area of the town by suspected hoodlums who rode in a car.

“The Osun State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has condemned the killing of the party’s governorship campaign Director-General, Wole Oke’s nephew, Dele Ayegbo, in Esa-Oke, Obokun Local Government Council Area of the state on Wednesday night by the hit squad of the Accord Party who have been terrorising the members and supporters of the opposition APC across the state,” the statement reads.

“Information has it that Ayegbo was gunned down at the road junction close to his house at the Idofin quarters area of the ancient town by the Accord Party hoodlums who were riding in a car.”

Olabisi claimed that two members of the party were shot during the incident, including Ayegbo, who died instantly, while the other victim was rushed to an undisclosed hospital in the town where he was receiving treatment.

The  statement described Ayegbo’s “killing” as “one death, too many” and called on the police to investigate the incident.

“The killing of the nephew of our campaign Director-general in Esa-Oke is one death too many which must be urgently unravelled by the police in the interest of fairness and justice,” he said.

Olabisi further alleged that over 30 APC members have been killed by political thugs, noting that Ijesaland has witnessed the highest percentage of political killings, alleging that 17 of the 30 APC members allegedly killed since 2022 were from the area.

Meanwhile, major opposition stakeholders  have decried what they  described as militarization of Saturday’s  election,  with the massive deployment of security personnel accross Osun state.

There has already been a massive deployment of soldiers, policemen and Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) officers to reassure voters of their security, as well as operatives from the Directorate of State Services (DSS) accross the state.

For example,  several contingent of soldiers, dressed in camouflage, have been seen patrolling in trucks, especially in Osogbo, the state capital, especially hotspots areas like Fagbewesa, Ola-Iya, Old Garage, Oke-Fia, Oke-Baale and Ilesa Garage.

Also spotted in their large numbers were members of Police Special Protection Unit (SPU), Mobile Police and Intelligence Response Team (IRT), among others, who were said to have arrived from Kwara, Oyo and Delta states in about 25 buses, even as there reports that more are being expected to arrive today .

There were also huge deployment of members  of Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) who have continued to storm the state in batches.

Rejecting the mass deployment of soldiers and other security agencies,  the  presidential candidates of the opposition African Democratic Congress (ADC), and Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Atiku Abubakar and Peter Obi respectively warned that Osun voters must he allowed to freely chose who their governor would be, rather that imposing a governor on the people,  through what they described as federal might.

The police have similarly warned troublemakers to stay away from the election.

Inspector-General of Police Tunji Disu, who said there was no room for violence, urged candidates and party leaders to steer their supporters away from thuggery.

Disu, who has deployed the Deputy Inspector-General of Police (DIG), Ishyaku Mohammed, to take charge, said thugs and hoodlums would have themselves to blame.

The IGP warned in a statement by the Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Ani Iniedu, that the police would not renege on their commitment to professionalism, neutrality, respect for human rights and the protection of the electoral process.

*** We are not afraid, Gov. Adeleke warns

*** Arrest, prosecute Sheikh Jingir, NHRC charges FG

By Nkem Okereh

Tension has remained heightened in Odin state ahead of this weekend’s governorship election, despite the signing of the Peace Accord by the leaders and candidates of the participating political parties

The parties and their candidates had at the event, signed to promote violence free election by Irving their supporters to about d clashes and attacking of each other

But the Peace Accord, which was initiated by the General Abdul salami Abubarkar ryd, led National Peace Movement and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), seems not to have received the acceptance of some political actors in the state

This is as the senator representing Osun East Senatorial District, Francis Adenigba Fadahunsi, on Tuesday, warned the members of Accord Party (AP) from their activities in Ilesha ahead of the August 15 governorship election in Osun State.

The APC senator had ina widely circulated video, where he addressed his supporters Yoruba language in Ilesha, warned that there would be trouble if members of the Accord Party were seen in the area,

Fadahunsi, who called on his supporters to come out and vote during the election, also called on those present to record his statement, while making the remark

He said, “If we hear of Accord Party members coming to Ilesha, there will be trouble. We will all come out and vote. Please record me. We are here, and between now and the election, if we see anyone from the Accord Party, we will kill them,” he said.

This is as the incumbent governor of the state, and Accord Party governorship candidate, Ademola Adeleke, has declared that he would not be intimidated by any form of federal medical ght as he has remained exoressed confidence that he would win the August 15 election

Adeleke said he was not afraid and cannot be intimidated by the alleged support of the Federal Government and some state governors for the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate ahead of the governorship election

The governor, who spoke during the Arise Townhall Meeting, on Tuesday , described himself as a “bulldozer”, saying he was prepared to confront what he described as “Federal might” and the influence of governors campaigning for his opponent.

“I am a bulldozer. I am not afraid of Federal might and governors backing the APC candidate. If they like, they should bring all the governors,” Adeleke said.

He noted that the governors were free to campaign and mobilise support for the APC candidate, but they would not be able to vote in the election, adding that their presence would not change the position of Odin voters.

“Those governors are my friends. I am a civilised administrator. They won’t vote; they can only come and dance, and after the election, we will meet,” he said.

Meanwhile,the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), has called on the Federal Government to immediately arrest and prosecute Islamic cleric, Sheikh Yahaya Jingir, over what it described as hate speech and incitement.

The Commission have the charge in a statement issued on Tuesday, by its Executive Secretary, Tony Ojukwu, SAN, s

NHRC condemned in strong terms “the hateful and inciting remarks” it said were attributed to the Islamic cleric in a viral video on Sunday.

The NHRC said it watched with grave concern as the cleric openly canvassed for religiously exclusive politics ahead of the general elections and used derogatory language referring to “infidels” while urging supporters to obtain voter cards to “show their limit.”

It described the statements as a direct attack on the principles of equality, non-discrimination, and peaceful coexistence guaranteed under the 1999 Constitution, as amended, as well as Nigeria’s international human rights obligations.

“The Commission finds these remarks to be hate speech and incitement to religious hatred and potential violence. At a time when we are preparing for another general election, such utterances are reckless and dangerous.

“They serve no purpose other than to divide Nigerians along religious lines and set citizens against one another.

“We cannot afford to look away. If we fail to speak and act now, we embolden both Christian and Muslim clerics and other influential persons to make worse statements in the coming months. That path leads only to crisis,” the Commission stated.

The Commission therefore called onon the Inspector General of Police, the Director General of the Department of State Services, and other relevant authorities to immediately arrest and prosecute Sheikh Jingir for hate speech and incitement, while it urged religious leaders, traditional rulers, and politicians to refrain from divisive rhetoric, and reject identity politics and to hold leaders accountable based on competence and service delivery

INEC Chairman

***Kogi, Abia govts slam N150m, N200m for campaign billboards, posters

*** Supporters to pay for wearing branded campaign T-Shirts, caps, bags, others

*** Fees, draconian assault on political participation – PDP

By Eze Nnadi

Ahead of the 2027 general election, opposition political parties and their candidates have continued to witness some harsh campaign policies from the ruling parties across the states, even as the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has remained mute, despite suing for equal opportunities for campaign across political lines.

Even as the election umpire has not cleared the parties and their candidates for political campaigns as prescribed by the 2026 Electoral Act as amended, state governments have, in measures to frustrate the opposition parties and their candidates, rolled out stringent financial policies for campaigns.

While the opposition parties and their candidates are to some extent, not allowed to have access to state government-owned electronics media stations for their campaigns, the state governments have equally rolled out stringent and frustrating policies to scare the parties from public campaigns .

For example, the ‎Kogi State Government, on Tuesday, said it has fixed N150 million as the official fee payable by presidential candidates for the placement of campaign billboards, posters and other promotional materials across the state ahead of the 2027 general election.
‎
‎The government also approved N50 million for senatorial candidates, N30 million for House of Representatives candidates and N5 million for State House of Assembly candidates.

‎The Commissioner for Information and Communications, Kingsley Fanwo, made the disclosure after a stakeholders’ meeting with the state signage and advertising agency.

‎Fanwo said the fee will also cover the wearing of branded T-shirts, caps and other political promotional items, by supporters of political parties and their candidates.

‎According to Fanwo, the fees are intended to regulate political advertising, enforce existing signage laws and boost the state’s internally generated revenue, adding that the fees were determined after a peer review of applicable charges in other states, adding that the government considered them affordable given the scale and reach of political campaigns.

The Kogi state government warned all political parties and candidates against erecting billboards or displaying campaign materials without paying the prescribed fees and obtaining the necessary approvals.

‎He said offenders, including individuals or organisations found aiding or facilitating violations, would face prosecution.

‎He said, “In Kogi, APC is the ruling party, but that does not exempt any APC candidate from complying with the law.

‎“If you are an APC candidate and you did not pay the prescribed fee before placing your billboards or posters, we will remove them and you will be prosecuted.

‎“The government is for everybody. All political parties and candidates are hereby enjoined to adhere strictly to the regulations governing the placement of campaign materials across the state,” he said.

‎Fanwo noted that the Kogi State Signage and Advertisement Agency, KOSSAA, under the Ministry of Information and Communications, would coordinate the implementation and enforcement of the new campaign signage regime., adding that enforcement would be carried out fairly and without political discrimination.

In Abia state, opposition political parties and candidates have rejected the N200m fee imposed by the Abia state government as payment for the placement of any campaign billboards across the state ahead of the 2027 general elections

The Abia State government, through the State Structure for Signage and Advertisement Agency (ABSSAA), in a statement on Thursday, announced fees for placement of campaign billboards, posters across the state ahead if the polls.

ABSSAA placed a N200 million signage fee on all 2027 presidential candidates and N150 million for governorship candidates and N20 million on candidates contesting other elective positions before they could display their political campaign posters anywhere in the state.

Rejecting the fees, the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), described the fees as not only outrageous and punitive but also a draconian assault on political participation.

PDP in a statement signed by the state Publicity Secretary, Jude Udeachara, said it considered the policy an outrageous commercialisation of the democratic space, a calculated assault on opposition candidates, and an unconscionable attempt to convert political participation into the exclusive privilege of the wealthy and those with access to public funds.

The PDP noted that the fees were not regulation, but political extortion dressed in administrative language, aimed at silencing political opponents and denying less financially endowed candidates the opportunity to communicate with the Abia electorate.

According to the statement, “Governor Otti must be reminded that Abia State is not his private estate and that ABSSAA is not an instrument that may lawfully be deployed to erect financial barricades against opposition political parties. Public advertising spaces are part of the democratic environment in which candidates must be allowed to canvass for votes under fair, transparent and reasonable conditions.

“The imposition of these prohibitive charges raises grave questions about the Otti administration’s understanding of the campaign finance framework established by the Electoral Act 2026.

“Section 92 of the Act limits the total election expenditure of a presidential candidate to ₦10 billion, a governorship candidate to ₦3 billion, a senatorial candidate to ₦500 million, a House of Representatives candidate to ₦250 million, and a State House of Assembly candidate to ₦100 million. A candidate who knowingly exceeds the applicable ceiling commits an offence and may, upon conviction, face a fine, imprisonment for up to 12 months, or both.”

The party argued that if all 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory were to replicate Abia’s ₦200 million charge, a presidential candidate would be required to spend ₦7.4 billion on permits alone.

“That would consume 74 per cent of the candidate’s entire ₦10 billion statutory spending ceiling before paying for the production, mounting or maintenance of a single billboard or undertaking any other campaign activity.

“This exposes the absurdity, recklessness and anti-democratic character of the Alex Otti administration’s policy.”

The PDP called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to take immediate notice of the development and caution the Abia State Government against policies capable of undermining a level playing field ahead of the 2027 elections.

Also, the governorship candidate of the African Action Congress, (AAC) in Abia State, Doris Ogala, slammed the imposition of N150m charges on guber candidates for the placement of campaign billboards in the state.

Ogala in a video she posted on X, said she does not have a godfather who ‘has stolen government funds’ to pay such an amount of money for billboard display.

She fumed, “People are dying in the hospital. Workers are dying. Their salaries have not been paid, and you are imposing 150 million naira for a candidate. Where will I get the money from?

“Do I have a godfather who has stolen government funds? I should pay 150 million naira. I dare anybody to touch my billboard. All of us will campaign without a billboard in this state.”

It would be recalled that the African Democratic Congress (ADC) governorship candidate in Adamawa state in the 2027 general election, Omar Suleiman, has been slammed a fine of N3m by a Yola Chief Magistrate Court for pasting his campaign posters on a public infrastructure.

Chief Magistrate Musa Adamu of Chief Magistrate Court No. 2, in a case jointly filed by the Adamawa State Ministry of Environment, the Adamawa State Urban Planning Board and the Attorney-General of Adamawa State, found the candidate guilty for violating Adamawa state environmental and outdoor advertising regulations

The court noted that the posters were found on the Unity Flyover, Jippu-Jam Roundabout in Yola and the Mai Doki Roundabout in Jimet, which the court noted were public places

The court said the matter was treated as an administrative proceeding because the defendant was absent, while no charge was read and no plea was taken.

Authorities said the action was taken under the state’s Executive Order regulating outdoor advertisements and protecting public infrastructure., adding that the court’s decision would serve as a warning to politicians ahead of the 2027 campaigns, as the state government insisted that political activities must comply with environmental and urban planning laws.

It would further be recalled that a primary school head teacher, in Orumba South local government area of Anambra state was suspended by the state education board for approving the Community Primary School, Umunze premises for an opposition party rally, during the 2025 governorship election in the state

Despite all the numerous attempts by ruling parties and their states to frustrate and push the opposition political parties out of public space ahead of the 2027 polls, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has however, remained silence, even as it had earlier threatened to sanction ruling political parties, whose governments are using the fees to clampdown on opposition campaigns and democracy.