Osun State All Progressives Congress, APC, governorship candidate, Bola Oyebamiji, has called on the British High Commission and the international community to closely monitor the August 15, 2026, governorship election, citing concerns over alleged political violence and intimidation in the state.
Speaking during a courtesy visit by a delegation from the British High Commission to the APC Campaign Office in Osogbo on Tuesday, Oyebamiji, said international observation would help strengthen public confidence in the electoral process.
Oyebamiji alleged that members and supporters of the APC had been subjected to politically motivated attacks since 2022, adding that the incidents had created anxiety ahead of the governorship election.
According to him, “The Campaign Council is deeply concerned about the escalating atmosphere of political violence, intimidation and thuggery targeted at members and supporters of the All Progressives Congress by individuals associated with the Osun State Government and Governor Ademola Adeleke.”
He said the party had reported its concerns to the Nigeria Police and urged security agencies to carry out thorough, impartial and professional investigations into all allegations relating to political violence in accordance with the laws of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
Oyebamiji stated that the party’s records indicated that more than 40 APC members and supporters had allegedly been victims of politically related attacks across different parts of Osun State since 2022.
The APC candidate listed several incidents, including the killings of party members and supporters in Osogbo, Ota Efun, Ilesa, Irewole and Otan Ayegbaju, as well as the alleged kidnapping and killing of an APC ward treasurer during the 2023 presidential campaign.
He also alleged that some individuals linked to the incidents had either been declared wanted by the police or accused in connection with the attacks, while calling for all pending cases to be investigated and prosecuted in accordance with the law.
Appealing to the British High Commission and other international observers, Oyebamiji said “sustained election observation before, during and after the governorship poll would contribute to ensuring a credible, peaceful and transparent election in Osun State.
“We respectfully appeal to the British High Commission and other members of the international community to continue paying close attention to developments in Osun State before, during and after the election.”
He reaffirmed the APC Campaign Council’s commitment to democratic principles, constitutional governance and peaceful political participation, adding that party members had been directed to remain law-abiding and cooperate with security agencies despite the challenges they allegedly faced.
The APC governorship candidate thanked the British High Commission for the visit, expressing hope that the combined efforts of election stakeholders, security agencies and observers would guarantee an election in which eligible voters could exercise their constitutional rights freely and without fear, intimidation or violence.
The British High Commission delegation had on Monday visited the Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke who called for economic sanctions and visa bans against several political figures for allegedly aiding and abetting political violence ahead of the August 15 governorship election in his state.
Governor Adeleke also alleged that some political leaders were promoting violence through their supporters, resulting in killings and gun attacks across the state.
In response to Governor Adeleke’s request, the Osun State chapter of the APC, in a statement, accused him of misleading a visiting British High Commission delegation over allegations of political violence ahead of the August 15 governorship election.
The APC alleged that the governor presented inaccurate information during the delegation’s visit to the state.
