Tension Rises As INEC Flags 11 Osun Election Flashpoints, Tightens Security Ahead Of Poll

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has identified 11 local government areas in Osun State as potential security flashpoints ahead of the August 15, 2026, governorship election and directed security agencies to intensify efforts to prevent violence and electoral disruptions.

INEC Chairman, Professor Joash Amupitan, disclosed this on Wednesday during the Osun Governorship Election Stakeholders’ Forum held in Osogbo.

According to him, the commission has activated its Electoral Risk Management framework to monitor security, political and operational threats before and during the election.

Amupitan explained that the framework enables INEC to identify emerging risks, analyse security indicators and implement preventive measures in areas considered vulnerable to violence.

The local government areas designated as flashpoints are Atakumosa East, Atakumosa West, Boripe, Ede North, Ede South, Ife Central, Ifedayo, Ila, Osogbo, Ifelodun and Oriade.

He said the identified locations would receive enhanced security presence, with law enforcement agencies directed to prevent thuggery, cult-related violence and any attempt to disrupt the electoral process while maintaining strict neutrality.

According to the INEC chairman, the commission has also mapped high-risk corridors across the state and prioritised security interventions in communities considered susceptible to election-related violence.

As part of preparations for the poll, Amupitan announced that INEC will conduct a mock accreditation exercise on August 1 in 12 selected local government areas, with four councils chosen from each of Osun’s three senatorial districts to test the commission’s electoral systems and operational readiness.

He disclosed that Osun State currently has 2,339,233 registered voters, adding that 322,822 newly registered voters have already collected their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs).

To enable more eligible voters to participate in the election, the commission extended the deadline for PVC collection to July 31.

Addressing the recent attack on INEC officials and the theft of PVCs in Okuku, Odo-Otin Local Government Area, Amupitan assured affected voters that the stolen cards would not be used for voting.

He explained that the serial numbers of the stolen PVCs would be permanently blacklisted on the commission’s central database, while the ICT Department had been directed to reprint replacement cards for affected voters to ensure they are not disenfranchised.

The INEC chairman also disclosed that security agencies were making progress in tracking down those responsible for the attack.

Meanwhile, Osun State Commissioner of Police, Ibrahim Gotan, assured residents that the police, in collaboration with other security agencies, had concluded plans to safeguard voters, electoral officials, observers, journalists and election materials throughout the exercise.

He said additional personnel would be deployed to the identified flashpoints, supported by enhanced intelligence gathering and continuous engagement with stakeholders to maintain peace.

Gotan warned that anyone found attempting to disrupt the election, regardless of political affiliation or social status, would face the full weight of the law.

He also appealed to political parties, candidates and their supporters to conduct themselves peacefully, avoid inflammatory rhetoric and resolve any electoral grievances through lawful means.