2026 Osun governorship poll: Political killings may affect credibility of Aug. 15 election – ZLP

The governorship candidate of Zenith Labour Party (ZLP) in Osun state, Olufemi Adesuyi, has condemned the rising wave of political violence across the state, warning that the killings may affect the credibility of August 15 governorship election, if left unchecked.

While noting that no political ambition is worth the blood of any citizen, Adesuyi in a statement Thursday, described as “worrisome,” the killings in some parts of the state.

He posited that the violence, if left unchecked, could threaten the peace and democratic values Osun is known for and affect the credibility of the forthcoming August 15 gubernatorial election.

He said politics should be a contest of ideas and service, not a do-or-die affair that puts lives at risk.

 “We must not allow desperation to turn our democracy into a bloodbath. The rate at which political violence is spreading in Osun is worrisome. No position, no matter how highly placed, is worth wasting human blood for.

“Politicians must understand that power is transient. You cannot achieve your ambition by shedding the blood of innocent people. Let us campaign with decorum, respect our opponents, and allow the people to decide freely,”  Adesuyi said.

He appealed to politicians to conduct themselves peacefully and put the interest of Osun first, irrespective of their political parties.

“Election is not war. Let us conduct ourselves peacefully, responsibly, and with respect for one another before, during, and after the election. Political differences should never make us enemies. We are one people with a common destiny, and our shared desire should be for a peaceful, credible and successful election,” Adesuyi said.

He specifically called on the Nigeria Police Force and other security agencies in the state to be proactive in preventing further breakdown of law and order.