Osogbo, Irewole Top High-Risk List as Peace Committee Sounds Alarm
With just weeks until Osun State’s crucial August 15 governorship election, the National Peace Committee has flagged 15 local government areas as potential flashpoints for violence – with Osogbo and Irewole leading the danger list.
The warning, delivered through The Kukah Centre’s Election Security Information Hub, paints a troubling picture of a state bracing for electoral turbulence.
The Danger Zones: Full List
CRITICAL RISK:
· Osogbo LGA
· Irewole LGA
HIGH RISK:
· Iwo LGA
· Boripe LGA
· Ife Central LGA
· Ife East LGA
(Additional moderate-risk LGAs also identified)
What’s Fueling the Fire?
The assessment, supported by the European Union, identified four major threats:
· Organized political violence – thugs and militia groups
· Institutional tensions – friction among election bodies
· Electoral offences – vote buying, result manipulation
· Information disorder – fake news and disinformation campaigns
Peace Committee Takes Action
Presenting the report to security agencies, INEC, ICPC, and other stakeholders in Osogbo, project manager Asabe Ndahi explained the urgency:
“In the last six weeks, we have deployed field observers who have been gathering data on security incidents. The risk index for Osogbo and Irewole is high. We are discussing with security agencies to curtail these incidents and ensure election day is safe for people to come out and vote.”
Stakeholders Vow: No Room for Violence
Participants at the bilateral engagement reaffirmed their commitment to peaceful elections, calling on:
· Political parties to restrain their supporters
· Citizens to reject violence and embrace democracy
· Security agencies to intensify proactive measures
What This Means for Voters
The August 15 election is shaping up to be a tense affair, but the early warning system gives authorities time to:
. Deploy strategic security measures
. Identify and neutralize flashpoints
. Protect voters and electoral officials
. Ensure credible, peaceful polls
