Ooni warns INEC of mounting political tensions ahead of Osun August 15 poll

Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, the Ooni of Ife, has flagged concerns with the Independent National Electoral Commission regarding mounting political friction in Osun State as the August 15 governorship election draws near. When INEC Chairman Prof. Joash Amupitan and Resident Electoral Commissioner Oluwatoyin Babalola visited his palace on Tuesday, the traditional ruler conveyed that rising tensions among competing political interests had become a pressing worry for traditional leaders in the region.

Prof. Amupitan's visit aimed to brief Osun's monarchs on election arrangements and request their support for the upcoming poll. The INEC leadership stressed that this August 15 election carries weight extending beyond state boundaries, serving as a bellwether for the 2027 nationwide general elections to follow.

He highlighted the importance of establishing peaceful conditions and identified the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System as critical to the electoral framework. The Ooni appealed to INEC to guarantee fair, just, and transparent conduct of the election process.

He emphasised that traditional rulers across the state have prioritised discussion of political peace, asserting that no governorship contest can justify endangering human lives. These comments indicate that community leaders perceive pre-election conditions as sufficiently volatile to require active intervention.

By approaching traditional rulers for their support, INEC seeks to harness their standing within local communities to ease friction dividing competing factions. This tactic positions Osun's customary institutions as key players in the lead-up to what observers characterise as an off-cycle election bearing nationwide significance.

The specific details and breadth of reported political tensions remain undisclosed in publicly issued communications.