National Chairman of the Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC), Yusuf Dantalle, has expressed deep concern over rising cases of electoral violence in Osun State ahead of the August 15 governorship election, warning that the trend threatens democratic principles and could portend wider instability in future polls.
According to reports, several local government areas in the state have been identified as hotspots for potential election-related violence ahead of Saturday’s poll. Speaking in an interview with Arise News, Dantalle cautioned politicians against perpetrating violence against the same citizens they seek to govern, citing the destruction of lives and property in different parts of the state.
The IPAC chairman said the council had condemned the incidents and warned key stakeholders — including political actors, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), security agencies, and traditional rulers — to prioritise the interests of the people of Osun State.
“We have continued to condemn these actions and also alert various stakeholders, including political actors, INEC as the electoral umpire, security agencies and traditional leaders, on the need to prioritise the interests of the people of Osun,” Dantalle said. “It is unacceptable to harm the people you intend to govern. There have been several incidents involving the destruction of lives and property, as well as protests and counter-protests.”
He advised all stakeholders involved in the Osun election that the violence represents a deviation from the principles and ethics of democracy, which is fundamentally about allowing the people to freely and fairly choose their leaders, with the outcome respected and accepted by all.
“This situation is indeed troubling, and I would like to use this opportunity to urge all stakeholders to exercise caution,” Dantalle added. “Those who use state institutions to intimidate or harass political opponents must desist and allow the people to make their own choices.”
The IPAC chairman warned that allowing such actions to continue could have implications for general Elections just a few months away, potentially foreshadowing what the country may encounter in the 2027 elections. He called for extreme caution to avoid undermining the progress made in Nigeria’s democratic journey.
The development comes amid heightened political tensions in Osun State, where the governorship contest has triggered a wave of clashes between rival supporters. Observers say the intervention by IPAC, an umbrella body for registered political parties, underscores the urgency of de-escalation efforts before voting day.
