Their responses reveal a state caught between fear and determination, as they are aware of the risks posed by the violence and yet remain unwilling to surrender their right to participate in choosing who governs Osun State.
Osun State is set to hold its governorship election on Saturday amid heightened political tension, increased security presence, political realignment and concerns over violence that have shaped residents’ expectations ahead of the polls.
Among the contenders are the incumbent governor, Ademola Adeleke, who is contesting on the platform of the Accord Party; former Commissioner for Finance, Bola Oyebamiji, who is the candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), and Najeem Salaam, the flagbearer of the African Democratic Congress (ADC).
In recent days, several developments have emerged, significantly shaping residents’ perceptions and expectations ahead of Saturday’s governorship election.
The All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) candidate, Adesina Adeyemi-Doro, withdrew from the race on 8 August, a week before the election, and endorsed Mr Oyebamiji. However, his name will remain on the ballot.
Also, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on Wednesday approved the inclusion of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) candidate following a court order, bringing the number of candidates on the ballot to 15.
However, concerns over violence have remained high in the build-up to the election, given Osun’s history of electoral violence.
As of July, according to the police, about 30 people had been killed in politically related or pre-election violence across the Southwest state.
Meanwhile, tensions escalated further after Francis Fadahunsi, senator representing Osun East, allegedly urged APC supporters during a rally in Ilesa to kill members of the rival Accord Party, the governor’s party.
Following the senator’s comments, the governor’s campaign organisation, the Imole Campaign Council, called for Fadahunsi’s arrest, while the senator was reportedly under investigation by the police.
Earlier, the Ademola Adeleke campaign group accused the police of intimidating and arresting its supporters, allegations the police have denied.
The campaign council said more than 60 of its leaders and members were in police detention and petitioned the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) over the alleged arrests.
Beyond the political contest, the developments have left many residents concerned not only about their safety, but also about the credibility of Saturday’s polls.
In separate interviews with PREMIUM TIMES, the state residents said the increased presence of security personnel had brought relative calm. Still, they urged political actors, security agencies, and electoral officials to ensure a peaceful, transparent and credible election.
Reacting to pre-election-day events and the heavy presence of security officials in the state, residents of Osun State called for a peaceful, free, and fair governorship election.
They urged political parties, candidates, security agencies and electoral officials to ensure that voters are allowed to exercise their franchise without intimidation.
For many residents of Osun State, the decision to vote in Saturday’s election is no longer just about choosing a preferred candidate but also about whether they can safely walk to their polling units, cast their ballots, and return home unharmed.
Dolapo Omoniyi, a commercial transport dealer, said political violence had reduced in recent days, particularly following the deployment of security personnel across the state.
“We realised political violence has reduced, especially since the arrival of heavy security here in Osogbo,” Mr Omoniyi said.
However, he urged voters to come out and vote in a peaceful environment, expressing hope that the next administration would improve the state’s current economic situation.
“We hope things will get better after the election because things are currently difficult. We are just trying our best; even this transport business is not as lucrative as before,” he said.
Similarly, for Folashade Adesina, a trader and caterer, the priority should be to ensure a peaceful and credible election and to encourage residents to vote in large numbers.
“I only implore all stakeholders to let everything be peaceful and fair in the Saturday election, and people should go out massively to vote for candidates of their choice,” Adesina said.
She urged political parties, candidates, and their supporters to accept the election outcome, regardless of the winner, without resorting to violence.
Adesina, who said she had catered for politicians from different parties, and that political differences should not divide people.
“All the politicians are of the same caucus. I am a caterer, and I did cook for them; they all eat at the same table. It is only their supporters that allow violence to divide them,” she said.
Also, Abiodun Olawale, a resident of the Ogo-Oluwa area, said his major expectation was for the election to proceed without violence.
Mr Olawale urged voters not to allow themselves to be used as instruments of violence, noting that political violence would ultimately affect ordinary people.
“The families of these politicians are not even in Osun State during this period, but if things go sour, it will only affect the residents,” he said.
He also called on the INEC to ensure transparency throughout the voting and counting processes.
