By: Goodluck E.Adubazi, Abuja.
The Council of the Wise of the Savannah Centre for Diplomacy, Democracy and Development (SCDDD) has warned that no human life should be lost in the forthcoming Osun State governorship election, stressing that “there must be Nigeria after the election.”
The Council, chaired by former Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Olukayode Ariwoola, gave the warning on Thursday in Abuja ahead of the election scheduled for Saturday, August 15, 2026.
It called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), the Nigeria Police Force, the Department of State Services (DSS), the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and other security agencies to take all necessary measures to ensure a free, fair, transparent and credible election.
In a statement signed by Ariwoola on behalf of the Council, the group commended Governor Ademola Adeleke and other governorship candidates for their confidence in Nigeria’s electoral process and their commitment to abide by the rules of the contest.
The Council also acknowledged the assurances given by INEC and the leadership of various security agencies to ensure a peaceful and credible poll.
However, it expressed “grave concern” over what it described as negative and undemocratic developments ahead of the election, particularly reported incidents involving the loss of human lives.
According to the Council, such incidents are “needless, unpatriotic and unacceptable” in a democratic setting where participation in elections should be aimed at serving the people and delivering the dividends of democracy.
It said recurring threats to democracy and provocative actions capable of triggering violence by some critical stakeholders were deeply disturbing.
The Council therefore urged the INEC Chairman, Prof. Joash Ojo Amupitan; Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Disu; Director-General of the DSS, Tosin Ajayi; EFCC Chairman, Ola Olukoyede; and heads of other security agencies to ensure that all incidents recorded ahead of the election are thoroughly investigated and perpetrators promptly brought to justice.
It further urged the authorities to ensure that voters in Osun State are given the confidence to freely exercise their franchise in a peaceful and secure atmosphere.
“The people of Osun State must be given the confidence to come out to vote freely, independently and in a peaceful atmosphere so that the outcome of the election would reflect the wish of the people of the state,” the Council said.
The Council stressed that the Osun governorship election would serve as an important test ahead of the 2027 general elections and therefore must be conducted with the highest standards of transparency, fairness and respect for democratic principles.
It added that the Council of the Wise, the Savannah Centre and its national and international partners would continue to closely monitor developments before, during and after the election.
The statement was signed by Justice Ariwoola on behalf of other members of the Council, including Joke Silva, Godknows Igali, Tunji Lardner, A.Y. Shehu, Oba Abdulraheem, Joy Ezeilo, Abdulaziz M. Dankano, Ummu Kalthum Muhammad, and Sani Saulawa Bala, Executive Director and Council Secretary.
