The National Peace Committee, through its secretariat, The Kukah Centre, has raised concerns over possible security threats ahead of the Osun State governorship election scheduled for August 15, identifying 15 local government areas as potential flashpoints for electoral violence.
The warning was issued during a stakeholders’ engagement in Osogbo, where representatives of electoral bodies, security agencies, anti-corruption institutions, civil society groups, and development partners gathered to assess the state’s preparedness for the poll.
According to findings presented at the meeting, some local government areas have been classified as critical, high-risk, and moderate-risk zones based on reports gathered by election observers deployed across the state in recent weeks.
The Kukah Centre’s Project Manager, Asabe Ndahi, disclosed that Osogbo and Irewole local government areas were among the locations considered most vulnerable to election-related unrest. Other councils listed in the high-risk category include Iwo, Boripe, Ife Central, and Ife East.
Ndahi explained that the assessment was carried out through the organisation’s Election Security Information Hub, a platform established to monitor and analyse security developments surrounding elections in Nigeria.
She said the exercise was designed to help authorities identify emerging threats early and develop strategies to prevent violence before election day.
“We are here to present to them the report of findings from our Election Security Information Hub, which is domiciled at The Kukah Centre, Abuja, and get feedback from them on what they will be doing as we progress into the election,” she said.
Speaking further, Ndahi added, “Based on data we have, we have about 15 local governments that are between critical, high and moderate risk. Particularly, Osogbo and Irewole local government areas fall within the critical risk index.”
She noted that observers who had been monitoring political activities over the last six weeks recorded incidents and trends that could increase tensions if left unchecked.
The Kukah Centre also revealed that it had trained 45 observers drawn from all 30 local government areas in Osun State to monitor security situations before and during the election. Additional personnel are expected to be deployed to communities considered especially vulnerable.
Participants at the meeting stressed the need for political parties, candidates, and their supporters to conduct their campaigns peacefully and avoid actions capable of undermining the electoral process.
Security agencies and election officials were urged to strengthen coordination and ensure that voters can exercise their rights without intimidation or fear.
The stakeholders’ meeting formed part of activities under a European Union-supported programme aimed at promoting democratic governance and peaceful elections in Nigeria.
With campaigns gradually intensifying ahead of the governorship contest, attention is increasingly shifting toward measures that can guarantee a credible and violence-free exercise.
The Osun governorship election is expected to attract significant political interest, making security preparations a major priority for electoral authorities and other stakeholders working to preserve peace in the state.