Some concerned women in Osun State, on Monday, staged protest over what they described as unlawful treatment of residents of the state by police personnel over the forthcoming gubernatorial election holding on Saturday, August 15, 2026.
Armed with placards with various inscriptions such as ‘Stop Electoral Violence’, ‘We Want Ballots, Not Bullets’, ‘We Want Election, Not War,’ ‘We Want Leaders not Mourners’, among others, the women said that unlawful treatment of citizens by security personnel ahead of the Saturday governorship election is draconian and wickedness.
The protesters also expressed deep concern over reported incidents of political violence as well as what they described as the perceived partisanship of the Osun State Commissioner of Police, Ibrahim Gotan.
They, however, called on the Nigeria Police Force and other security agencies to remain neutral, professional and committed to the protection of every citizen, irrespective of political affiliation.
Convener of the protest, Mrs. Ayobola Awolowo, who is also the State Commissioner for Women, and Mrs. Eniola, the Special Adviser to Governor Adeleke on Market, particularly condemned every act of violence associated with the electoral process and expressed their grief over the loss of lives allegedly connected to political activities.
They stressed that no election is worth the life of any Nigerian, insisting that political disagreements must never become a justification for killing, intimidation or destruction.
“Our children, husbands, brothers and sisters must not become casualties of political ambition. Elections come and go, but human lives cannot be replaced,” the protesters said.
The women further called on IGP Disu to redeploy CP Ibrahim Gotan immediately and that the Force should demonstrate impartiality and professionalism in the discharge of their responsibilities, urging him to ensure that the police serve as protectors of the people rather than being perceived as an instrument of political intimidation.
They demanded that all political parties, candidates and supporters be given equal protection under the law, while urging security agencies to investigate allegations of violence and unlawful conduct without fear or favour.
The protesters also appealed to the Inspector-General of Police, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), civil society organisations, national and international observers, and other relevant stakeholders to closely monitor the conduct of the election and ensure that the rights of voters are protected.
According to the women, the people of Osun State deserve an election in which voters can freely go to their polling units, cast their ballots without intimidation, and return home safely.
According to the convener, we demand an immediate end to harassment and intimidation of citizens on political grounds, impartial and professional conduct by the police and other security agencies and a credible investigation into all reported cases of political violence and killings.
The protesters also sought for equal protection for all political parties, candidates and voters; a free, fair, transparent and credible electoral process as well as adequate security at polling units and collation centres without political interference.
They asked for respect for the fundamental rights of citizens to vote according to their conscience.
The women reiterated that their protest is fundamentally about peace, security, democracy and the preservation of human life.
They called on all political actors to restrain their supporters, reject violence and allow the people of Osun to determine their preferred leaders through the ballot box.
The women therefore urged the security agencies to rise above political considerations and provide a level playing field for all, so that the forthcoming election can be remembered as a celebration of democracy rather than a period of fear and violence.
Addressing the protesters, the Commissioner of Police for Election, Mr. Samuel Etaifo, said he allowed the protesters because of the due respect he has for women, noting that he would have ordered his men to stop the protest.
He noted that since his arrival in the state, there had been relative peace, assuring that the police will restrategize to make sure that all demands are attended to.
