Despite the fact that the three main candidates for the Osun State governorship are from the Osun West Senatorial District, a wave of killings that have plagued the area has raised grave security concerns in the Osun State East Senatorial District, especially throughout Ijesaland.
Two prominent figures, Senator Francis Fadahunsi and Hon. Oluwole Oke, have defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to join the All Progressives Congress (APC), according to recent political developments.
Both politicians, who are from the Obokun Local Government Area, have historically helped the PDP win large numbers of votes in Ijesaland, which presents a significant obstacle for the Accord Party and other opposition groups trying to gain control of the area.
The intense rivalry has turned the campaign trail volatile, with the ruling and opposition parties trading accusations and counter-accusations over electoral violence.
Because the district recorded the highest number of killings during the campaign period, security agencies are expected to step up their deployment and focus heavily on the zone.
Meanwhile, ahead of Saturday’s poll, travellers have been trooping into the state to beat the deadline for border closures.
Police authorities announced that state borders would be shut at midnight on Friday, with personnel from the Nigerian Army deployed to man all entry points.
On the ground in Osogbo and surrounding towns, panic over potential violence forced traders to close their shops earlier than usual on Friday.
We pray for a peaceful election, trusting that divine guidance and unity will prevail among all participants. May the process be fair, transparent, and devoid of violence, leading to a result that reflects the true will of the people. Let there be harmony and understanding, and may peace reign before, during, and after the election.
