The Osun Masterminds, an Osun based civil society group, has called for urgent measures to safeguard security and electoral integrity ahead of the August 15 governorship election in Osun State.
The group also urged security agencies, political actors and the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, to prevent violence before, during and after the poll.
Addressing a press conference on Tuesday in Osogbo, the group’s Executive Director, Prof. Wasiu Oyedokun-Alli, expressed concern over the disturbing rise in election-related violence and youth killings across the state.
The organisation recommended that the Nigeria Police Force, through the Osun State Police Command, maintain absolute neutrality, intensify patrols in violence-prone areas, rebuild public confidence and arrest suspected criminal kingpins linked to violent activities.
It also urged the police command to end any perception of partisanship by ensuring that security personnel respond swiftly and impartially to all incidents of political violence.
The group condemned the escalating wave of election-related attacks, saying young people had become the principal victims of political rivalries in several communities across the state.
According to the organisation, “recent incidents include the killing of 14-year-old Ezekiel Olugbemiga in Ilobu, Kolade Eluyera in Ikire and Aderogba in Esa-Oke, alongside several reported attacks that left others critically injured.”
Prof. Oyedokun-Alli said, “The blood of these young citizens cries out for justice. We call on relevant agencies to ensure that the perpetrators, no matter how highly placed, are arrested, unmasked and prosecuted immediately.”
The group acknowledged reports linking the killings to cult-related violence but argued that there was a strong connection between cult activities and political violence in the state, alleging that many attacks were carried out for political purposes.
It condemned the use of cult groups to settle political disagreements and appealed to political leaders across party lines to reject violence as a campaign strategy.
Calling for peaceful elections, the organisation appealed to traditional rulers, religious leaders, community groups and residents to work together to preserve peace, warning that political conflict could leave communities vulnerable to other security threats.
The Osun Masterminds also urged the Independent National Electoral Commission to ensure a level playing field by deploying election materials promptly, treating all political parties fairly and conducting the election with transparency.
Addressing young voters, the group encouraged them to “resist attempts to involve them in violence. Voting remained the most effective democratic means of influencing governance.”
The organisation accused politicians of recruiting and financing cultists and political thugs to intimidate opponents, destroy campaign materials and create insecurity, demanding that such networks be dismantled immediately.
Referring to the recent directive by the Inspector-General of Police, Tunji Disu, conveyed through Deputy Inspector-General Adegoke Fayoade, the group welcomed the order to halt political violence but insisted that enforcement was now essential.
“Orders are not enough; we need to see visible enforcement. We need to see arrests and prosecution, and we need to see them in a manner that makes it clear to politicians that no man is above the law,” Prof. Oyedokun-Alli said.
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