The Nigeria Union of Journalists, NUJ, Osun State Council, has condemned the increasing wave of political violence ahead of the August 15, 2026 governorship election.
The union also warned that the trend threatens peace, public safety and the democratic process.
The Council voiced concern over the growing reports of killings, intimidation and destruction of property linked to political activities, and said the situation could damage the election’s credibility unless urgent action was taken to stem the violence.
The Osun NUJ Chairman, Adeyemi Aboderin, and the Secretary, Olalekan Akindoju, jointly signed a statement in which the union referred to a report by the Kimpact Development Initiative, KDI, which catalogued 44 election-related violent incidents in the state between October 2025 and June 2026.
The statement said that the incidents reportedly led to the deaths of 13 people, a development that the Council described as alarming and requiring immediate intervention by all stakeholders.
The figures must be a wake-up call for all stakeholders. “No political ambition is worth the loss of human lives,” the statement said.
The Council urged security agencies to intensify efforts to prevent further violence by protecting lives and property, to remain professional and impartial, and to ensure that those involved in acts of violence are brought to justice regardless of their political affiliations.
It also called on political parties, governorship candidates and supporters to go into peaceful campaigns based on issues affecting the people and avoid actions that could lead to unrest.
“The NUJ warns political leaders not to make inflammatory statements that could incite violence. They have a duty to restrain their supporters and put the interest of Osun State above partisan considerations.
“The Council appeals to the residents, especially the youth, not to be used as agents of political violence or intimidation during the electioneering period,” the statement further stated.
It pointed out that the lives and future of the state’s youth should not be sacrificed for political interests and urged them to resist any attempt to entice them into unlawful activities.
The NUJ restated the pledge of the journalists in Osun state to advance responsible journalism, factual reporting and public enlightenment in the period of the campaign of the governorship election.
It also urged media practitioners to adhere to the ethics of the profession by avoiding sensational reports that could escalate political tension, while promoting balanced and accurate reports on political activities across the state.
