Lawmakers call for investigation into violence during Osun election

Some members of the House of Representatives, known as the Save Democracy Group, are asking for a thorough investigation into the violence and deaths that happened before and during the 2026 Osun State Governorship Election.

The group is also questioning why the federal government sent so many security forces to Osun. They pointed out that many communities across Nigeria are still facing terrorist attacks, banditry, and threats to security personnel.

They made these demands in a statement in Abuja on Monday. The statement was signed by Awaji-Inombek Abiante (NDC, Rivers), Abubakar Kusada (APC, Katsina), and Mansur Jega (ADC, Kebbi).

The lawmakers praised the people of Osun for exercising their democratic rights despite the tension, intimidation, and violence leading up to the election. However, they insisted that the deaths related to the election should not be seen as a normal part of political competition.

"The loss of Nigerian lives must not be treated as an acceptable cost of political competition," the group said.

The group noted that the Nigeria Police Force confirmed in July that they were looking into 30 cases of suspected politically motivated killings linked to the election build-up. They added that civil society organizations documented 56 incidents of political violence and 14 deaths in the time leading up to the election.

The group highlighted that violence continued right up to election day. They mentioned an incident on 13 August, just two days before the election, when a resident of Esa-Oke was killed and another person injured in a shooting, which the police confirmed.

"These figures represent human beings, fathers, mothers, sons, daughters, political supporters, and ordinary citizens whose lives should never have been sacrificed for political ambition," the group said.

The lawmakers also called for an investigation into a video that circulated widely involving Francis Fadahunsi, the senator for Osun East. In the video, he was reportedly heard encouraging supporters to attack members of the Accord Party in Ilesa.

PREMIUM TIMES reports that Mr Fadahunsi denied inciting violence, claiming he was misunderstood. However, a review of his statement in the video indicated he did suggest his supporters should attack their opponents.

The Save Democracy Group said the senator's denial should not stop the authorities from investigating the statement independently and understanding its context.

"Political leaders occupy positions of influence and must understand that words capable of encouraging violence can have deadly consequences in an already tense environment," it said.

The group urged the Inspector-General of Police, the State Security Services, the National Human Rights Commission, and other relevant authorities to look into the senator's comments. They stated that if evidence shows a crime was committed, Mr Fadahunsi should be prosecuted according to the law.

"Where the evidence establishes that an offence was committed, Senator Fadahunsi, like any other Nigerian, must be prosecuted in accordance with the law," the lawmakers said.

The group further urged international and local legal authorities to determine if any actions supported by credible evidence could trigger international criminal law standards.

"Political office must never confer immunity from accountability," it added.

Besides the incidents of political violence, the group questioned how many security personnel were assigned to the governorship election in Osun. They noted that Osun is not usually seen as a major conflict area, though the history of political violence in the state calls for serious security measures.

The lawmakers insisted that the federal government should explain why so many security forces were sent to Osun. "The deployment of security personnel must not become a substitute for effective policing," they said.

They demanded investigations into every death linked to the election and the prosecution of anyone responsible, regardless of their political affiliation. The group also asked the federal government to publish the security assessment and deployment plan for the election.

This would help Nigerians understand how the number and type of security personnel for Osun was decided. The lawmakers compared this deployment to the security situation in areas suffering from repeated terrorist attacks, banditry, and threats to security personnel.

"Security must be based on assessed risk, not political calculations," the group stated. They pointed to recent attacks in Kebbi and Sokoto states as examples of the differences in security resource allocation.

According to the group, a recent gunfight in Sakaba Local Government Area of Kebbi State led to the deaths of 10 police officers and two civilians, while two other police officers were injured. They also noted that communities near Kebbe Local Government Area of Sokoto State still face attacks from armed groups.

The group said recent reports confirmed that an Assistant Superintendent of Police, Hussaini Balarabe, was killed in a gunfight with bandits in that area.

"These incidents illustrate the uncomfortable reality facing Nigeria," the lawmakers said. "While extraordinary security resources can be mobilized for an election, communities confronting persistent insecurity continue to lose civilians and security personnel."

The group called on the federal government to quickly review its national security strategy and allocate resources based on the seriousness and persistence of threats across the country.

"Nigeria cannot police elections more effectively than it protects its citizens," they said.

The lawmakers also urged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to conduct a thorough review of the Osun governorship election after it ends. They praised INEC for parts of the electoral process that worked but said it must fix the logistical, technological, administrative, and procedural problems seen during the election.

"The 2027 election will be much larger and more important," the group said. "INEC cannot afford to learn the same lessons twice."

They added that the Osun election should be seen as practice for the 2027 general elections, and any weaknesses found must be addressed before the next nationwide polls.

The Save Democracy Group also renewed its call for the National Assembly to meet again to discuss urgent national issues. They had previously called for an emergency session, warning that Nigeria’s democracy is facing serious decline due to alleged constitutional violations, budget issues, lack of transparency in public spending, worsening insecurity, and rising economic hardship.

They urged the leaders of both chambers to show that Parliament is responsive to the concerns of Nigerians. The lawmakers mentioned Ghana as an example, saying its Parliament has shown readiness to return from recess to tackle urgent national matters.

"Nigeria’s Parliament must do the same," the group said. They called on the President of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives to reconvene both chambers for an emergency session.

The group said the session should address the worsening national security situation, the killing of civilians and security personnel, debates around the proposed State Police amendment, and the implementation of the 2024, 2025, and 2026 budgets. They also pointed to a broader decline in public trust in democratic institutions.

The group emphasized that the security situation needs urgent legislative action, especially as Nigerians continue to face attacks while security personnel are also being killed in the line of duty.

"No government can claim success when citizens are afraid to vote, communities are afraid to sleep, and security personnel are being killed while defending the country," they said.