As preparations gear up for the August 15th, 2026 governorship election, the European Union Support for Democratic Governance in Nigeria (EUSDGN), through its Support to the National Peace Committee (NPC) and its Support to Political Parties (SPP), has convened a high-level Stakeholder Validation Forum to review key findings from the Political, Social, and Security Context Analysis, as well as the Compliance Assessment Report (CAR) of political parties.
The forum, held across the three senatorial districts of Osun State, brought together representatives of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), security agencies, political parties, the Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC), civil society organisations, traditional and religious leaders, and the media to examine emerging risks and strengthen coordination for peaceful and credible elections.
The Stakeholders Validation Forum was held at Adezar Hotel, beside Al-Minsheal Hospital, Ede Road, Ile-Ife, on Monday.
In her welcome address, Barr. Asabe Ndahi, the NPC Project Manager, appreciated all participants from the Osun East Senatorial District and described the forthcoming election as a critical moment for Nigeria's democracy.
Ndahi said that the 2026 gubernatorial election is more than a state-level exercise; it is a defining test of our collective commitment to democratic integrity and a precursor to the 2027 general elections.
She noted that while the assessments show measurable compliance with electoral procedures, deeper structural challenges remain.
According to her, the findings present a balanced picture — while there has been progress, there are still gaps between formal processes and substantive democratic practice, particularly around political competition, governance disputes, and public trust.
"The validated reports highlight a highly competitive and evolving political landscape in Osun State, shaped by recent political realignments and increasing fragmentation among major political actors.
"Stakeholders observed that although the electoral environment remains relatively stable, underlying tensions — including local governance disputes, concerns around security neutrality, and the growing influence of informal mobilisation networks — pose risks if not proactively addressed.
"Findings from the Compliance Assessment Report further indicate persistent challenges in internal party democracy, with candidate selection processes largely influenced by elite negotiations. The report also underscores limited inclusion of women, youth, and persons with disabilities, alongside concerns regarding transparency and accountability," she stated.
Ndahi emphasised that the identified risks require deliberate and coordinated responses from all stakeholders.
The NPC Project Manager further stated that the risks identified — from unresolved local government issues to patterns of political mobilisation and security concerns — are not insurmountable. However, they require deliberate, coordinated, and timely action.
One of the participants at the forum, Mr. Jamiu Ojeleye, stressed the importance of early preventive measures, noting that electoral violence is often rooted in unresolved institutional and political issues.
Ojeleye called for strengthened collaboration, adherence to the Peace Accord framework, and commitment to conflict-sensitive conduct by political actors and their supporters.
The forum concluded with a shared resolve to translate analysis into action through practical measures to mitigate risks, strengthen institutional performance, and support peaceful civic participation across the state.
The National Peace Committee and the Kukah Centre reiterated their commitment to working with stakeholders to ensure that the Osun 2026 Governorship Election is peaceful, credible, and inclusive, reflecting the will of the people.
Also, Mr. Stephen Klanzama, the Project Officer of the Kukah Centre, said that the forum presented two reports from the validation context analysis, containing findings on political, social, economic, and security issues that would have an impact on Osun's incoming election.
Klanzama added that the forum reviewed compliance assessments on the level of preparedness of political parties in line with the timeline published by INEC.
He said that political parties are adhering to the timeline for primary elections and submission of candidates, but that in terms of internal processes and procedures governing political parties, there remains a challenge.
According to him, political parties are following their own established procedures in terms of nominating their candidates; however, their findings suggest that there is significant impact from elite dominance and negotiations on party members who make critical decisions that can shape the governance of Osun.
The critical stakeholders from political parties, the media, and INEC were presented with the findings in order to correct the anomalies before the election.
Mr. Fatai Yusuf, the Research Manager of the Kukah Centre, who presented the "Political Context Analysis of the Election," explained that the analysis provides stakeholders, particularly the National Peace Committee, with an evidence base for strategic engagement and conflict prevention.
Yusuf addressed the transformed political landscape, the institutional environment and Electoral Act 2026, security and conflict dynamics, citizen engagement and the media environment, risk analysis and strategic implications, and strategic recommendations for the National Peace Committee.
He identified four high-priority risks: political violence, institutional legitimacy, elite fragmentation, and criminal insecurity.
Also, Mr. Jide Ojo, the Short-Term Expert from the Kukah Centre, spoke on the "Compliance Assessment Report: Political Party Preparedness and Electoral Conduct Ahead of the 2026 Osun Gubernatorial Election."
Ojo, who served as the Resource Person at the event, explained that the assessment focuses on three key areas: the conduct of party primaries, adherence to internal democratic norms, and the promotion of peaceful elections in Nigeria's off-cycle electoral cycle.
According to him, the security environment is characterised by low-intensity but persistent incidents of political violence, including intimidation, clashes, and targeted attacks on party supporters.
The Short-Term Expert stressed that political actors increasingly rely on informal mobilisation networks such as youth groups, transport unions, and digital platforms.
He commended security personnel for their neutral commitment in deploying their personnel to ensure a hitch-free election.
Ojo recommended that political parties should strengthen internal democracy, promote transparent and competitive primaries, and prioritise issue-based campaigns.
"Security agencies need to adopt proactive, intelligence-led approaches and ensure impartial enforcement of the law. The electoral commission should maintain neutrality, enhance coordination with security institutions, and strengthen voter education.
"Civil society organisations and peace actors should intensify civic engagement and early warning initiatives, while the media should adopt conflict-sensitive reporting practices.
"The Judiciary also has a critical role in ensuring the timely resolution of electoral disputes to reduce uncertainty," he suggested.
He stressed that the National Peace Committee designed the Peace Accord to ensure that normalcy is restored between candidates and political parties when called upon.
Ojo maintained that the NPC complements the work of the police to ensure peaceful elections, enforce the Electoral Act, prevent violence, and wherever necessary, arrest, investigate, and prosecute those involved in electoral violence in Nigeria.
He added that legacy journalists must take the lead in countering fake news that can escalate mayhem in society.
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