…warns that glitches during Saturday poll could ignite violence
…hails umpire over improved CVR from 1,954,800 to 2,339,233 registered
…urges security operatives to be at red alert on Saturday 
The Centre for Credible Leadership and Citizens Awareness CCLCA has alerted security agencies on the need to beef up security during Osun 2026 governorship election on Saturday.
Director General of CCLCA Dr Gabriel Nwambu made these revelations during a press briefing on Wednesday in Osun State tagged:’Urgent Security Concerns, Inflammatory Rhetoric, Technical Glitches, and Pre-Election Violations Ahead of the August 15, 2026 Osun State Governorship Election’, addressed to security agencies and INEC .
Dr Nwambu in the briefing did not mince words as he urged security agencies to be at red alert to contain any unrest as the signals so far are not encouraging.
Hear him: “The Centre for Credible Leadership and Citizens Awareness, an accredited Civil Rights Organization observing the upcoming Osun State Governorship Election slated for August 15, 2026, has been actively observing pre-election developments across the thirty (30) Local Government Areas (LGAs) of the state.
“We note with satisfaction that at the conclusion of the Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) exercise, the number of registered voters in Osun State increased from 1,954,800 to 2,339,233.
“This addition of 384,000 new registrants is a resounding indicator of heightened civic consciousness and growing public interest in democratic participation. However, this positive trajectory is currently being threatened by rising political tensions, inflammatory hate speech, electoral violence, and technological uncertainties.
INEC’S MOCK ACCREDITATION EXERCISE
“Preceding the main election, INEC conducted a mock accreditation exercise across 12 LGAs spanning the three Senatorial Districts to simulate Election Day procedures and evaluate the functionality of the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS).
“Unfortunately, our observers noted critical technical failures:
● BVAS Malfunctions: The devices abruptly stopped recognizing voters’ fingerprints, facial features, and Permanent Voter Card (PVC) details.
● Public Anxiety: Despite prior assurances from INEC regarding the resolution of disparities between old and new PVCs, these technical glitches have sparked widespread concern.
“Our Stance: We reiterate that the electorate is intolerant of any technical failures. The mock exercise was meant to build confidence and assure voters that their choices will count—not act as a source of discouragement. INEC must act immediately to guarantee the integrity and flawless operation of the BVAS.
” Furthermore, the Commission must not only remain non-partisan but must be seen unequivocally as non-partisan.
ESCALATION OF PRE-ELECTION VIOLENCE
“Our pre-election monitoring reveals a deeply alarming security landscape:
● Casualties: Approximately 40 persons have been killed in pre-election-related violence across Osun State.
● Political Rhetoric: The political atmosphere is heavily charged. Politicians have largely abandoned issue-based campaigns in favor of personal attacks, insults, and inciting language capable of fracturing public peace.
A. Reckless Utterances by Public Office Holders
Public office holders must lead by example. We strongly condemn the unguarded, reckless, and despicable remarks made by a prominent South South Governor, whose utterances were entirely unbefitting of his office and capable of inciting a breakdown of law and order.
“Such careless statements overheat the polity and must be reined in immediately.
B. Direct Incitement to Violence in Ijeshaland by Senator Francis Adenigba Fadahunsi.
“Most disturbing is the conduct of the serving Senator representing Osun East Senatorial District, Senator Francis Adenigba Fadahunsi.
● Incitement to Murder: Senator Fadahunsi was captured on a verified video openly inciting members of his party (APC) to kill members of the Accord Party and their supporters wherever they are found in Ijeshaland.
● Importation of Thugs and Fake Police: Credible intelligence confirms that the senator has imported thugs, hoodlums, and fake policemen into Ilase (his hometown) as well as towns across Obokun, Oriade, Ilesa East, Ilesa West, Atakumosa East, and Atakumosa West LGAs.
● Abuse of Federal Might: Senator Fadahunsi boasted using “federal might” to intimidate voters, threatening that even if Accord Party members present their PVCs at polling units on Saturday, August 15, his thugs will prevent them from voting.
● Harassment via Security Units: The Senator has also continuously boasted of using the Inspector-General of Police Intelligence Response Team (IRT) to harass, arrest, and intimidate opposition leaders.
” Notably, an aide to the senator named ASP Wemimo has been leading IRT personnel to the homes of Accord Party leaders, including the continued unlawful abduction and detention of a House of Representatives candidate, Alaba Popoola.
CALL TO ACTION
“Given these grave threats to human life and the sanctity of the ballot, the Centre for Credible Leadership and Citizens Awareness urgently demands the following:
1. Immediate Arrest and Prosecution: We call on the Inspector-General of Police (IGP) and the Director-General of the Department of State Services (DSS) to order the immediate arrest and thorough prosecution of Senator Francis Adenigba Fadahunsi and all individuals masterminding pre-election violence in Osun State, in accordance with domestic and international laws.
2. Special Security Attention for Ijeshaland: All security formations deployed for Saturday’s election must pay hyper-vigilant attention to the six LGAs in Ijeshaland to safeguard the lives of law-abiding citizens.
3. Flushing Out Thugs: Security agencies must immediately comb and flush out armed thugs and fake policemen quartered in Ilase-Ijesha and other enclaves by political actors.
4. Accountability: Let it be unequivocally recorded that Senator Francis Adenigba Fadahunsi would be directly responsible for any act of violence or loss of life targeting Accord Party members or any citizen in Ijeshaland and across Osun State.
5. Release of Abducted Candidates: The IGP must immediately probe the operations of the IRT unit in Osun State and order the immediate and unconditional release of the House of Reps candidate of the Accord Party, Alaba Popoola, alongside other illegally detained political actors.
6. Caution to Leaders: Political leaders across regional divides, including the aforementioned South South Governor, must be called to order to halt incendiary rhetoric.
The August 15, 2026, governorship election must be a contest of ballots, not bullets. The security of lives and property before, during, and after the polls remains non-negotiable.
