Osun Election: Osun will be the litmus test for INEC, security agencies — Olajengbesi

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By Ikechukwu Nnochiri

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ABUJA— Ahead of the 2027 general elections, Abuja-based lawyer Mr. Pelumi Olajengbesi on Friday described the Osun State governorship poll, slated for August 15, as a litmus test for both the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and security agencies in the country.

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Olajengbesi said he had formally petitioned the international community, including the British High Commission, calling for closer scrutiny of pre-election activities, with specific reference to allegations of partisan conduct by the state’s police leadership.

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At a press conference in Abuja on Friday, the Osun-born lawyer called on the federal government to guarantee a free, fair and credible gubernatorial contest, saying it would offer a preview of what to expect in the 2027 general elections.

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“We have written to the British High Commission that the police in Osun are completely compromised, that the Commissioner of Police in Osun is being partisan and is working for a political party.

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“This should not be happening when we are talking about democracy, when Nigeria is talking about free, fair and credible elections. The people of Osun must be allowed to go to the polls and vote for a candidate of their choice.

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“This election is a litmus test of the integrity of INEC, a major test of the integrity of the Inspector General of Police, and beyond that, it is a major test of the integrity of our institutions to know if we are able to conduct a free, fair and credible election in the forthcoming 2027 general elections,” he added.

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According to him, the Coalition of Public Interest Lawyers had been monitoring developments in the state.

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Decrying the rising spate of violence mostly attributed to political thugs, Olajengbesi implored election observers to remain vigilant.

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“We know that this election will come and the choice and decision of the people will be determined,” he said, citing his earlier petition to the police in which he warned against the shielding of those engaged in pre-election violence.

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It will be recalled that Olajengbesi had personally submitted a petition to the IGP, Tunji Disu, at the Force Headquarters in Abuja, in which he raised alarm over a pattern of election-related violence ahead of the poll.

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He stressed that the reported killings posed a serious threat to democratic governance and the credibility of the election, citing loss of lives, injuries to residents, destruction of property, and widespread fear across communities in Osun State.

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He accused the Osun State Police Command of complacency despite several reports of violence, and demanded the immediate redeployment of the state’s Commissioner of Police.

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Furthermore, Olajengbesi called for a comprehensive investigation into every documented incident of political violence in the state, as well as the identification, arrest and prosecution of all those found to have participated in, sponsored, financed or facilitated political violence, irrespective of political affiliation.

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He equally demanded the deployment of additional tactical and conventional police personnel to identified flashpoints across the state, as well as a comprehensive review of Osun’s security architecture ahead of the election.

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