A former Osun State lawmaker, Olatunbosun Oyintiloye, is now at the center of a storm after a video of him making what many see as dangerously charged comments to his supporters went viral. The clip, which spread rapidly across social media, shows the ex-assembly member speaking to a crowd of loyalists ahead of the state’s August 15 governorship race. In it, some viewers interpret his words as a call to resist political rivals with force, a reading that has ignited anger and concern across the state.
The fallout has been swift. Political analysts and ordinary citizens alike are voicing alarm, with many fearing that such rhetoric could fan the flames of election-related violence in Osun. This controversy lands at a delicate moment when parties and public figures have repeatedly pledged to keep the campaign season peaceful and issue-driven.
Security forces and election observers are already on high alert, citing a worrying uptick in political tension and scattered clashes in several local government areas. The situation has prompted fresh appeals from civil society groups and community leaders, who are urging all sides to rein in their supporters and let voters cast their ballots without fear or intimidation.
As the clock ticks down to election day, the spotlight remains fixed on how political actors—especially those with influence—choose their words. The hope is that cooler heads prevail, allowing the democratic process to unfold without bloodshed or chaos.
