Osun 2026: APC Raises Fresh Security Alarm Ahead of Governorship Election

Osun 2026: APC Raises Fresh Security Alarm Ahead of Governorship Election

Osun Election: APC Raises Alarm Over Alleged Importation of Thugs Into Government House

The Osun APC campaign media committee has raised an alarm over alleged mobilisation of political thugs into the Government House ahead of the August 15 governorship election.

Osun Election: APC Raises Fresh Alarm Over Alleged Thug Mobilisation

The All Progressives Congress (APC) campaign media committee in Osun State has raised a fresh security alarm over the alleged mobilisation of political thugs into the Government House in Osogbo ahead of the state's governorship election.

The allegation was made less than 24 hours before the election, scheduled for Saturday, August 15, 2026. The poll is expected to pit incumbent Governor Ademola Adeleke of the Accord Party against APC candidate Bola Oyebamiji and candidates of other political parties.

Speaking with journalists at the Correspondents' Chapel in Osogbo, APC campaign media committee representative Kehinde Ayantunji alleged that a number of suspected political thugs had been brought into the state from outside Osun.

According to him, the individuals were allegedly brought from Lagos and were being accommodated at the Government House.

The APC representative further alleged that two individuals identified by the alleged codenames "Olowe" and "Iberu" were responsible for leading the group.

It is important to stress that these are allegations made by the APC campaign committee and have not been independently established as facts.

APC Alleges Movement of Suspected Thugs

Ayantunji claimed that the APC received intelligence indicating that a large number of suspected political thugs had been mobilised into the Government House.

He said the party had carried out additional checks on the information before deciding to make the allegation public.

According to the APC campaign committee, some of the individuals allegedly involved were not originally from Osun State.

Ayantunji also mentioned several vehicles which he claimed were used in the alleged movement of the suspected thugs.

He said the APC had what it described as pictorial evidence supporting its intelligence.

However, the claims, including the identities of the alleged individuals, the vehicles mentioned and the purpose of their presence, remain allegations from the opposition campaign and should be treated as such unless independently verified by competent authorities.

APC Links Alleged Mobilisation to Election Hotspots

The APC campaign media committee alleged that the suspected thugs could be deployed to areas considered politically important to the party.

Ayantunji specifically mentioned parts of Osogbo, Irepodun and Egbedore Local Government Areas.

He alleged that the purported plan was to disrupt the electoral process in selected wards if the election did not go in favour of the ruling Accord Party.

Among the locations mentioned were Ward 5 in Osogbo Local Government, as well as Ward 4, Ward 8, Okini, Ido-Osun and Ofatedo areas of Egbedore Local Government.

The APC representative alleged that the suspected operatives could be provided with financial resources and weapons.

These claims have not been independently verified, and no conclusion should be drawn about the involvement of any individual or government official without evidence from security agencies or other competent authorities.

APC Calls for Attention From Security Agencies

The opposition party said it decided to make the allegation public because of concerns over the safety of voters and the credibility of the election.

The APC campaign committee called on relevant security agencies to pay close attention to developments around the Government House and areas identified as potential flashpoints.

It also appealed to stakeholders, observers and the wider public to remain vigilant while avoiding actions that could escalate political tensions.

The party further said it wanted the Accord Party and the state government held accountable should violence occur during the election.

The allegation comes at a particularly sensitive moment, as Osun prepares for a closely watched governorship contest.

Osun Election: Political Tensions Rise Ahead of Poll

The 2026 Osun governorship election has generated significant political competition, with Governor Ademola Adeleke seeking another term on the platform of the Accord Party.

APC candidate Bola Oyebamiji is challenging the incumbent, while other political parties are also participating in the election.

The election campaign has already featured strong political exchanges between the ruling party and opposition groups.

In July, several candidates and representatives of political parties participating in the election signed peace and accountability commitments at an electoral integrity summit in Osogbo. The APC and ADC did not participate in that particular signing event, while a representative signed on behalf of Adeleke.

Another peace accord involving election stakeholders was subsequently reported, with Adeleke, Oyebamiji and representatives of other parties committing themselves to a peaceful electoral process.

Against that background, fresh allegations of planned violence have heightened concerns about security during voting.

Why the APC Allegation Matters

Political violence remains a major concern during elections because it can discourage voters from exercising their constitutional rights and undermine confidence in the electoral process.

For that reason, allegations involving the alleged movement of political thugs deserve appropriate attention from security authorities.

However, political parties also have a responsibility to ensure that unverified intelligence is not used to create unnecessary panic among voters.

The most important priority ahead of the Osun election is therefore the protection of voters, electoral officials, journalists, observers and other stakeholders.

Security agencies will also be expected to investigate credible intelligence and take lawful action against anyone found attempting to disrupt the election.

Government and Accord Party Response

The APC allegation places renewed attention on the Accord-led administration and Governor Ademola Adeleke.

At the time of this report, the allegations should not be presented as established facts unless the governor, the Accord Party, the police or another competent authority independently confirms them.

Governor Adeleke has previously spoken about the need for a peaceful electoral process and has framed his re-election campaign around continuity in governance. His administration has also accused opposition forces of intimidation in the political contest.

The competing allegations demonstrate the increasingly intense nature of the Osun political contest.

Voters Urged to Remain Calm

Despite the political tension, residents of Osun State are expected to participate peacefully in the election.

Voters should avoid confrontations with supporters of other political parties and should not take the law into their own hands.

Anyone who observes suspicious activity should report it to appropriate security authorities rather than attempting to confront suspected offenders.

Political parties and their supporters should equally avoid spreading unverified information that could trigger panic or violence.

The success of the election will depend not only on security agencies but also on the conduct of political actors, candidates, party supporters and voters.

What Happens Next?

The allegation by the APC campaign committee is likely to increase pressure on security agencies to monitor sensitive areas across Osun State.

Authorities will need to verify any credible intelligence regarding the alleged mobilisation of political thugs and determine whether there is evidence of plans to interfere with voting.

The public will also be watching closely for statements from the police, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), the state government and other relevant stakeholders.

For voters, the key message is simple: remain calm, vote peacefully and allow electoral officials to carry out their responsibilities without intimidation.

Frequently Asked Questions About the Osun Election

1. When is the 2026 Osun governorship election?

The Osun State governorship election is scheduled for August 15, 2026.

2. Who is the APC candidate in the Osun election?

The APC candidate is Bola Oyebamiji, who is challenging incumbent Governor Ademola Adeleke.

3. Which party is Governor Ademola Adeleke contesting under?

Governor Ademola Adeleke is contesting the 2026 Osun governorship election on the platform of the Accord Party.

4. What did the Osun APC allege?

The APC campaign media committee alleged that political thugs had been brought into Osun from outside the state and accommodated at the Government House ahead of the election.

5. Has the alleged importation of thugs been independently confirmed?

The allegations reported here were made by the APC campaign committee. They should not be treated as independently confirmed facts unless verified by competent authorities.

6. Which areas did the APC identify as potential targets?

The APC mentioned parts of Osogbo, Irepodun and Egbedore, including specific wards and communities. These claims remain allegations by the party.

7. Why is election security important?

Effective election security helps protect voters, electoral officials, candidates, journalists and observers while ensuring that people can cast their ballots freely and safely.

8. What should voters do if they notice suspicious activity?

Voters should avoid confrontation and report credible security concerns to the appropriate authorities.

9. What should political parties do before the election?

Political parties and their supporters should encourage peaceful participation, avoid inflammatory statements and report credible security concerns through lawful channels.

Takeaway

The APC's latest allegation has added another layer of tension to the already closely watched Osun governorship election.

While the party says it has intelligence and photographic evidence concerning the alleged mobilisation of political thugs, the claims remain allegations pending independent verification.

With voters preparing to go to the polls, the priority should be a peaceful, credible and transparent election.

Security agencies, political parties and all election stakeholders have a shared responsibility to prevent violence and protect the democratic rights of Osun residents.

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