Osun 2026: Kukah Centre rallies stakeholders for credible governorship poll
…urges contenders, political parties to honour peace pact The Kukah Centre has mobilised key stakeholders across Osun State to address emerging electoral challenges ahead of the August 15, 2026 governorship
…urges contenders, political parties to honour peace pact
The Kukah Centre has mobilised key stakeholders across Osun State to address emerging electoral challenges ahead of the August 15, 2026 governorship election, calling for closer collaboration among political actors, security agencies and civil society groups to ensure a credible, peaceful and transparent process.
The centre also urged governorship candidates and political parties to honour a peace pact as part of efforts to strengthen the integrity of the poll.
Speaking at a Stakeholders Validation Forum in Ede, the Senior Programme Manager of the Centre, Esrom Ajanya, said the meeting was convened to review findings, identify key electoral risks, enhance coordination and promote accountability ahead of the election.
Ajanya noted that participants at the forum included officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission, security agencies, political parties, the Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC), civil society organisations, as well as traditional and religious leaders and members of the media.
He added that similar engagements were held across the three senatorial districts of the state as part of efforts to deepen preparedness for the 2026 governorship election.
He said, “We convened this high-level Stakeholder Validation Forum to review key findings from the Political, Social, and Security Context Analysis, as well as the Compliance Assessment Report (CAR) of political parties to examine emerging risks and strengthen coordination for peaceful and credible elections.”
According to him, “The 2026 gubernatorial election is more than a state-level exercise, it is a defining test of our collective commitment to democratic integrity and a precursor to the 2027 general elections.
He noted that while the assessments show measurable compliance with electoral procedures, deeper structural challenges remain.
“The findings present a balanced picture. While there has been progress, there are still gaps between formal processes and substantive democratic practice, particularly around political competition, governance disputes, and public trust,” Ajanya stated.
The validated reports highlight a highly competitive and evolving political landscape in Osun State, shaped by recent political realignments and increasing fragmentation among major political actors. Stakeholders observed that although the electoral environment remains relatively stable, underlying tensions, including local governance disputes, concerns around security neutrality, and the growing influence of informal mobilisation networks, pose risks if not proactively addressed.
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Earlier, the Centre’s project manager, Asabe Ndahi disclosed that “Findings from the Compliance Assessment Report further indicate persistent challenges in internal party democracy, with candidate selection processes largely influenced by elite negotiations. The report also underscores limited inclusion of women, youth, and persons with disabilities, alongside concerns regarding transparency and accountability.
Ndahi emphasised that the identified risks require deliberate and coordinated responses from all stakeholders.
“The risks we have identified, from unresolved local government issues to patterns of political mobilisation and security concerns, are not insurmountable. However, they require deliberate, coordinated, and timely action.”
Participants at the forum stressed the importance of early preventive measures, noting that electoral violence is often rooted in unresolved institutional and political issues. They called for strengthened collaboration, adherence to the Peace Accord framework, and commitment to conflict-sensitive conduct by political actors and their supporters.
