House Members Demand Investigation into Violence in Osun Election

The Save Democracy Group, a mix of members from the House of Representatives, is calling for a thorough investigation into the violence and deaths linked to the 2026 Osun State governorship election. They say political competition should never justify the loss of lives in Nigeria.

The group also wants a probe into a viral video that allegedly shows Senator Francis Fadahunsi making comments that seem to encourage his supporters to harm members of the Accord Party in Ilesa.

In a statement released in Abuja on Monday, the group’s leaders, Awaji-Inombek Abiante (NDC, Rivers), Abubakar Kusada (APC, Katsina), and Mansur Jega (ADC, Kebbi), said every death from political violence must be looked into and those responsible must face justice.

They praised Osun voters for coming out to vote, despite the fear, intimidation, and violence before the election. But they expressed worry about the level of violence reported during the election, noting that the Nigeria Police Force mentioned in July that they were investigating 30 politically motivated killings ahead of the election.

The lawmakers also referred to civil society reports that recorded 56 incidents of political violence and 14 deaths. They reminded everyone that just two days before the election, on August 13, a person in Esa-Oke was killed and another was injured due to gunfire.

“These figures represent human beings, fathers, mothers, sons, daughters, political supporters, and ordinary citizens whose lives should never have been sacrificed for political ambition,” the group said.

Given this situation, the lawmakers questioned the effectiveness of the large number of security personnel deployed to Osun State. They argued that having many security officers should mean better protection for lives and property.

“The deployment of security personnel must not become a substitute for effective policing,” the group said. They want the Nigeria Police Force, Department of State Services, National Human Rights Commission, and other relevant bodies to conduct thorough investigations.

The lawmakers singled out Senator Fadahunsi's alleged comments for investigation, stressing that political leaders must be accountable for statements that could inflame an already tense political scene. Fadahunsi has reportedly denied inciting violence, but the Save Democracy Group believes this denial should not stop authorities from independently examining the video and the surrounding context.

“Political leaders occupy positions of influence and must understand that words capable of encouraging violence can have deadly consequences in an already volatile environment,” the group said. They urged the Inspector-General of Police, DSS, NHRC, and other authorities to investigate the statement to see if it broke any laws.

“Where the evidence shows that an offence was committed, Senator Fadahunsi, like any other Nigerian, must be prosecuted according to the law,” it said. The group also called on local and international legal bodies to check if any actions could meet international criminal law standards.

“Political office must never confer immunity from accountability,” they declared. Beyond the election violence, the lawmakers also questioned the unusual level of security deployed for the Osun governorship election.

While they recognized that Osun has a history of political violence that requires adequate security, the group said the Federal Government should explain how it decided the size and type of security present. They expressed concern that states facing terrorism, banditry, kidnapping, and attacks on security personnel often report a lack of security resources, while an extraordinary number of personnel were sent for an election.

“Security must be based on assessed risk, not political calculations,” the group said. They demanded that the Federal Government publish the security assessment and deployment plan for the Osun election and clarify how security resources are allocated across the country.

They specifically mentioned recent attacks in Kebbi and Sokoto states, highlighting a gun battle in Sakaba Local Government Area of Kebbi State, where 10 police officers and two civilians were killed, and two other police officers were injured.

In Sokoto, they noted that communities around Kebbe Local Government Area are facing ongoing attacks by armed groups, with an Assistant Superintendent of Police, Hussaini Balarabe, reportedly killed during a gun battle with bandits.

“These incidents show the tough reality facing Nigeria. While many security resources can be mobilized for an election, communities dealing with ongoing insecurity continue to lose civilians and security personnel. Nigeria cannot police elections better than it protects its citizens,” they added.

The group noted that the Osun election should serve as a major test and rehearsal for the 2027 general elections. They called for the Independent National Electoral Commission to carry out a full post-election review to find any weaknesses in logistics, technology, administration, and procedures that could hurt future elections.

“The 2027 election will be much larger and more important,” they said, stressing that “INEC cannot afford to learn the same lessons twice.” The lawmakers also repeated their call for the National Assembly to meet again to discuss urgent national issues.

They urged the Senate President and Speaker of the House of Representatives to call both chambers for an emergency session to address worsening security, killings of civilians and security personnel, issues around proposed State Police amendments, the implementation of budgets for 2024, 2025, and 2026, and falling public confidence in democratic institutions.

The group pointed to Ghana’s Parliament as an example of a legislature that is ready to return from recess to tackle urgent national problems. “Nigeria’s Parliament must do the same,” they said.

The lawmakers also insisted that the country cannot treat insecurity and political violence as normal parts of democracy. “No government can claim success when citizens are afraid to vote, communities are afraid to sleep, and security personnel are being killed while defending the country,” they noted.

They called for full investigations into political violence, prosecution of those found guilty, accountability for political actors who incite violence, and an urgent review of Nigeria’s national security strategy.