Ahead of the forthcoming governorship election in Osun State, the Ataoja of Osogbo, Oba Jimoh Oyetunji Olanipekun, has been urged to remain politically neutral and not to allow the palace to become a platform for partisan activities.

The appeal was contained in a statement by the Oroki United Front on Friday in Osogbo.

The statement signed by the group’s Coordinator, Abass Jayeola, followed a purported directive for the Olurokis to attend a meeting with the Accord Campaign Council at the Ataoja’s palace.

According to the statement, “the meeting was reportedly convened under the agenda, Existing understanding between the ACCORD Party and Osogboland and any other relevant matters”.

The group maintained that “the Ataoja should remain a father to all residents of Osogbo irrespective of their political affiliations. It is our wish that the Ataoja stays off politics and be a father to all, like every other traditional rulers in the state”.

It argued that the royal palace should serve as a centre for discussions on the welfare and development of Osogbo rather than a venue for political party meetings, adding that, “The palace should be home for everyone, not an avenue to hold political party meetings.”

Oroki United Front also referred to a previous allegation of an assassination attempt involving the monarch, claiming that the matter had been resolved by the police.

“Such incidents should not be repeated in order to protect the reputation of the traditional institution. Ataoja should emulate other traditional rulers in the state by maintaining neutrality.

“The Ooni of Ife, the Orangun of Ila, the Oluwo of Iwo and the Ogiyan of Ejigbo are examples of monarchs who had received politicians from different political parties without taking sides,” the statement said.

It also said any engagement with political actors should focus on issues affecting Osogbo, including the implementation of promises allegedly made by the administration of Governor Ademola Adeleke before the 2022 election.

The statement called on Baales, compound heads, youth leaders and community representatives expected at the meeting to remain non-partisan and question politicians on matters affecting the town.

“Osogbo is not for sale. We are watching you. Our ancestors are also watching you and Ataoja should seek explanations on issues affecting Osogbo’s interests, including infrastructure development, boundary concerns and the location of government facilities.

“The Ataoja should ensure that discussions at the meeting address matters relating to the development and territorial integrity of Osogbo rather than personal or political interests. Failure to raise such issues could create the impression that the monarch is speaking for himself rather than the community,” the statement declared.

The African Democratic Congress, ADC, has accused President Bola Tinubu’s administration of hurrying legislation on state police to create the impression that it is tackling Nigeria’s worsening insecurity.

In a statement issued on Friday by its National Publicity Secretary, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, the opposition party described the State Police Bill as a “panicky” and politically driven move, rather than a well-thought-out constitutional reform.

While restating its support for state policing in principle, the ADC said the reform should not be marketed as an instant solution to banditry, kidnapping and terrorism.

It argued that the policy requires strong institutional safeguards before it can be implemented.

The party accused the Federal Government of repackaging “a long-standing national consensus as a bold new initiative” and of pushing the constitutional amendment through the National Assembly without sufficient public consultation.

“What we are witnessing is a hurried response to a worsening security crisis, not the careful institutional planning required to build a functional, accountable and effective policing system,” the ADC stated.

The opposition party also questioned the timing of the move, asking why the Tinubu administration waited until “almost the end of its tenure” to pursue state police aggressively if it was genuinely committed to the reform.

The party maintained that passing a law alone would not resolve Nigeria’s security challenges.

It listed recruitment, training, funding, command structures, intelligence coordination, judicial oversight and correctional reforms as critical elements that cannot be built overnight.

The Nigeria Union of Journalists, NUJ, Osun State Council, has condemned the rising wave of political violence ahead of the August 15, 2026 governorship election.

The union also warned that the trend poses a serious threat to peace, public safety and the democratic process.

The Council expressed concern over increasing reports of killings, intimidation and destruction of property linked to political activities, saying the situation could undermine the credibility of the election if urgent steps were not taken to curb the violence.

In a statement jointly signed by the Osun NUJ Chairman, Adeyemi Aboderin, and the Secretary, Olalekan Akindoju, the union cited a report by the Kimpact Development Initiative, KDI, which recorded 44 election-related violent incidents across the state between October 2025 and June 2026.

According to the statement, the incidents reportedly resulted in the deaths of 13 people, a development the Council described as alarming and requiring immediate intervention by all stakeholders.

“The figures should serve as a wake-up call to all stakeholders. No political ambition is worth the loss of human lives,” the statement said.

The Council called on security agencies to intensify efforts to prevent further violence by protecting lives and property, maintaining professionalism and impartiality, and ensuring that those responsible for violent acts were brought to justice regardless of their political affiliations.

It also urged political parties, governorship candidates and their supporters to conduct peaceful campaigns centred on issues affecting the people, rather than engaging in actions capable of fuelling unrest.

“The NUJ cautions political leaders against making inflammatory statements that could incite violence. They have a responsibility to restrain their supporters and place the interests of Osun State above partisan considerations.

“The Council appeals to residents, particularly young people, not to allow themselves to be used as agents of political violence or intimidation during the electioneering period,” the statement added.

It emphasised that the lives and future of the state’s youth should not be sacrificed for political interests, urging them to reject any attempt to lure them into unlawful activities.

The NUJ reaffirmed the commitment of journalists in Osun State to promoting responsible journalism, factual reporting and public enlightenment throughout the governorship election campaign.

It also called on media practitioners to uphold the ethics of the profession by avoiding sensational reports capable of escalating political tension, while encouraging balanced and accurate coverage of political activities across the state.