By Akinwale Kasali
As the Osun 2026 Governorship Election draws closer, Governor Ademola Adeleke has called on the British Government to place economic sanctions and visa bans against opposition leaders in the State, accusing them of inciting political violence in the State ahead of the August 15 Governorship Election.
The Governor who is seeking reelection under the Accord Party made the call on Monday while receiving a delegation of the British Government on a pre-election peace-building mission to Osun State.
He alleged that the said politicians were encouraging violence through their supporters which has led to killings and gun attacks across the State.
Governor Adeleke made this call in a statement signed by his spokesperson, Olawale Rasheed. He urged the international community to impose sanctions on politicians and security officials found to be sponsoring or enabling political violence.
He, however, commended Security Chiefs for intervening to curb the violence, while insisting that those responsible for instigating attacks must be held accountable, regardless of their political affiliations.
“I have zero tolerance for violence. I have told the Inspector General of Police that if my son is involved, he should be arrested.
“I told the world we harbour no thugs anywhere and the police can, and should arrest any suspect. There must be strict law enforcement.”
Governor Adeleke’s statement is coming amid reported killing of another Accord Party member in Ijebu-Jesa, bringing the number of Accord members allegedly killed since the commencement of the 2026 political campaigns to five, while 15 others are said to have sustained critical injuries in attacks allegedly carried out by suspected opposition thugs.
He urged security agencies to investigate and prosecute both perpetrators and their alleged sponsors, arguing that publicly available statements and actions by some opposition leaders justified the call for international sanctions.
He said, “I believe we must have a deterrent against those promoting political violence. We seek a visa ban against politicians sponsoring killings and violent attacks. We advocate for similar sanctions against security chiefs aiding and abetting such anti-democratic activities.
“Election is not about bloodshed. Osun deserves the peace and freedom to make their choice about who governs them. There must be consequences for those deliberately endangering the lives of our people for selfish political gains.”
According to the statement, the British delegation was led by the Senior Political Adviser, Wale Adebajo, who said the visit formed part of ongoing efforts to promote peaceful, credible and transparent elections in the state.
The statement quoted Adebajo as assuring the Governor that the British Government would continue engaging relevant stakeholders to encourage peaceful conduct before, during and after the August 15 governorship election.
Over the years, Osun State has witnessed heightened political tensions, most recently, this few months, when the Governor left the embattled Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, to join Accord Party, leading to brickbats, as the Governor and the opposition traded words over alleged attacks, intimidation and violent incidents.
Though, there has been calls from Security Agencies, Election observers body and religious leaders that political actors and their supporters should conduct their campaigns peacefully and refrain from actions capable of undermining the electoral process.
This has however become a major issue in the State, as political actors has continued to fan the ember of hatred, which the Governor said will kot be tolerated.
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