Osun 2026: “You Can’t Harm People You Intend To Govern” — Dantalle Warns Politicians

The Chairman of the Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC), Yusuf Dantalle, has raised concerns over the escalating political violence in Osun State ahead of the August 15 governorship election.

Dantalle expressed his concerns during an interview with Arise News, where he appealed to politicians and their supporters to shun violence before, during and after the election.

He warned that politicians should not attack or harm the same citizens they seek to govern, describing the destruction of lives and property linked to political activities in the state as unacceptable.

“It is unacceptable to harm the people you intend to govern,” he said.

The IPAC chairman also condemned the protests and counter-protests reportedly associated with political activities in Osun, urging all parties to put the interests of residents above political considerations.

According to him, the council has repeatedly engaged political actors, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), security agencies and traditional rulers over the need to protect citizens and ensure that the election is conducted in a peaceful and credible manner.

“We have continued to condemn these actions and also alert various stakeholders, including political actors, INEC as the electoral umpire, security agencies and traditional leaders, on the need to prioritise the interests of the people of Osun,” Dantalle said.

He stressed that intimidation and electoral violence run contrary to the fundamental principles of democracy, which guarantee citizens the right to freely and fairly elect their leaders.

“We want to advise all stakeholders involved in the Osun election that this is a deviation from the principles and ethics of democracy, which is fundamentally about allowing the people to freely and fairly choose their leaders, with the outcome respected and accepted by all,” he said.

Dantalle further cautioned against using government institutions to intimidate, harass or suppress political opponents.

“Those who use state institutions to intimidate or harass political opponents must desist and allow the people to make their own choices,” he said.

He also expressed concern that the events surrounding the Osun governorship election could serve as a warning of what Nigerians may face during the 2027 general elections if political violence and intimidation are allowed to persist.

“If we allow such actions to continue, we must consider their implications for the general elections just a few months away. It could be a foreshadowing of what we may encounter in the 2027 elections,” Dantalle warned.

The IPAC chairman urged political parties, candidates, security agencies and other stakeholders to exercise restraint and avoid actions capable of undermining Nigeria’s democratic development.