Osun Masterminds Raise Alarm Over Insecurity, Political Arrests, NURTW Crisis Ahead Of Governorship Election

By Ayobami Agboola, Osogbo

A civil society organisation, The Osun Masterminds (TOM), has expressed concern over the rising insecurity and political tension in Osun State ahead of the August 15 governorship election, warning that the situation could undermine the credibility of the electoral process if not urgently addressed.

The group made the observation on Thursday during its July 2026 State of the State Address delivered by its Executive Director, Prof. Wasiu Oyedokun-Alli.

According to the organisation, Osun is witnessing an alarming deterioration in its security landscape, with incidents of cult-related violence, political thuggery and clashes among rival groups creating fear among residents in major towns, including Osogbo, Ede, Ilesa and Ile-Ife.

TOM warned that if left unchecked, the growing insecurity could discourage voters from participating in the forthcoming governorship election.

The group called on the Osun State Government, political parties, security agencies and other stakeholders to work together to prevent violence before, during and after the election.

It also urged political parties to disband all forms of armed groups and informal security outfits allegedly operating on their behalf, while calling on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security to ensure adequate and impartial deployment of security personnel to polling units and collation centres across the state’s 332 wards.

“In recent months, the internal security landscape of Osun State has experienced an alarming and progressive deterioration. What was historically acclaimed as one of the most peaceful states in the South-West geopolitical zone is now being increasingly destabilized by widespread cult violence, armed political thuggery, and high-stakes clashes associated with the upcoming elections.

“Citizens in urban centers like Osogbo, Ede, Ilesa, and Ife live under an atmosphere of growing apprehension as rivalry between heavily armed political factions and rival cult groups frequently spills into public spaces, disrupting commerce, threatening life, and undermining public peace.

“This escalating wave of insecurity cannot be viewed in isolation from the upcoming August 15 Governorship Election. It is a recognized pattern in our political history that state-sanctioned or tolerated lawlessness often serves as a precursor to voter suppression, electoral intimidation, and the creation of an atmosphere of fear designed to keep law-abiding citizens away from polling units”.

“When violent elements operate with brazen impunity in broad daylight, citizens naturally lose confidence in the capacity of the state apparatus to protect their lives and votes. This threatens the very foundation of popular sovereignty and democratic legitimacy.

“We sound a stern note of caution to all relevant stakeholders—the State Government, political parties, candidate campaign structures, local government administrators, and security agencies—that the peace and stability of Osun State must not be sacrificed on the altar of desperate political ambitions.

“Elections are a formal, peaceful exercise of civic preference and sovereign choice, not a military conquest or a trial by combat. We demand that political parties immediately disband all informal security outfits, armed militias, and political enforcement squads operating under various disguises across the state”.

The organisation further expressed concern over the lingering leadership crisis within the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), describing political interference in the affairs of transport unions as a major threat to public safety and democratic governance.

According to TOM, successive administrations have allegedly treated transport unions as political structures instead of independent trade organisations, a development it said has contributed to recurring violence at motor parks.

The group urged the Osun State Government, local government authorities and political actors to refrain from interfering in the leadership of transport unions, insisting that union officials should emerge through democratic internal processes in accordance with trade union laws.

A second deeply concerning development in Osun State is the perpetual crisis and leadership tussle engulfing the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW). The commercial transport sector, which constitutes a vital artery of our local economy and provides daily livelihoods for thousands of citizens, has been systematically transformed into a battleground for political patronage, factional violence, and institutional coercion.

“We observe with deep regret that successive political administrations at both the State and Local Government levels have treated transport unions not as independent trade organizations governed by trade union laws and internal constitutions, but as partisan enforcement wings to be hijacked, weaponized, and deployed against political opponents.

“Whenever power changes hands or elections approach, motor parks become theaters of violent takeover, extortion, and intimidation, directly threatening the safety of commuters and small business operators.”

On the role of traditional rulers, the organisation cautioned monarchs against openly participating in partisan politics, warning that such actions could erode public trust and compromise the neutrality expected of traditional institutions.

It appealed to royal fathers across the state to remain fathers to all citizens regardless of political affiliation and avoid actions capable of deepening political divisions within their communities.

The Osun Masterminds also expressed concern over what it described as politically motivated arrests and selective law enforcement ahead of the governorship election.

The organisation alleged that opposition figures, political activists, media commentators and other critical voices have increasingly become targets of arbitrary arrests and detention, warning that such actions could undermine democratic freedoms.

It called on the Nigeria Police Force, particularly the Osun State Police Command and other security agencies, to remain professional, impartial and operate strictly within the provisions of the law throughout the election period.

The group stressed that every suspect should be treated in accordance with constitutional provisions, granted access to legal representation and arraigned before a competent court where necessary.

While urging the electorate to reject vote-buying, violence and other forms of electoral malpractice, TOM encouraged eligible voters to participate peacefully in the August 15 governorship election and vote according to their conscience.

The organisation reaffirmed its commitment to monitoring developments before, during and after the election, expressing hope that all stakeholders would prioritise peace, democratic values and the collective interest of Osun State.