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.

The All Progressives Congress, APC, in Abia State, has refuted media reports alleging that over seven thousand of its members and supporters have defected to the Labour Party, LP, describing the claims as exaggerated and politically insignificant.

The party insisted that the claim does not reflect the party’s actual position in the state.

The reaction followed reports that a former National Executive Committee member of the party, Nduka Anyanwu, announced that more than 7,000 supporters had moved with him to the Labour Party in the State.

Anyanwu, according to our correspondent, made the disclosure during a visit by members of the Labour Party’s State Executive Committee, SEC, led by its State chairman, Peter Azubuike at his residence in Umuahia.

Responding to the development, the Abia APC, through its Spokesperson, Uche Aguoru, in a press statement made available to Journalists, described the reported figure as inaccurate and maintained that Anyanwu’s departure would not weaken the party’s political prospects.

He asserted that the defection of the former party official would not affect its preparations or future electoral ambitions.

The APC leadership in the State further criticised Anyanwu’s previous role within the party and questioned his political influence in the state.

Aguoru, in the press statement, accused the former party official of allegedly being associated with actions that undermined the party’s performance during previous election cycles.

He also alleged that Anyanwu worked against the party’s interests during previous political contests in the state.

The APC Spokesperson claimed that Anyanwu’s political activities have contributed to challenges faced by the party during earlier attempts to strengthen its electoral position.

“While serving as a member of the APC’s 2023 Presidential Campaign Council, Anyanwu supported political interests outside the party structure.

“Anyanwu had gradually withdrawn from active participation in APC meetings and internal activities before the reported defection. So the claims regarding the number of supporters who defected along with him are highly questionable,” the press statement added.

Despite the development, the APC leadership reiterated that it remained focused on rebuilding and expanding its political support ahead of future elections.

The party maintained that it remains committed to securing stronger electoral outcomes across the state.

It also used the medium to encourage supporters to remain focused on party organisation and future political engagement rather than being distracted by speculations surrounding the defection.

“Abia APC remains confident in its structure and believes the reported defection will not significantly affect its future electoral plans,” the release stated.

A Federal High Court in Lokoja has set aside an earlier judgment that compelled the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to register the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) as a political party.
The development was shared by Lere Olayinka, media aide to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, in a post on X on Friday.

The latest ruling by the presiding judge, Justice Isah Dashen comes days after a Federal High Court in Abuja ordered INEC to register the Citizens Democratic Alliance (CDA) as a political party.

Justice Obiora Egwuatu, who presided over the Abuja case, had directed INEC to issue the party with a certificate of registration within seven days after ruling in a suit filed by Tamunotonye Samuel Solomon Inioribo and two others.

More details are expected.