Adeleke Signs Executive Order, Launches Election Violence Probe
Osun State Governor, Senator Ademola Adeleke, has signed an Executive Order establishing a Commission of Inquiry into incidents of violence and other unlawful activities reported across the state in the period leading to the August 15, 2026 Governorship Election.
The Commission is expected to examine the circumstances surrounding reported cases of killings, assaults, intimidation, threats, arson, destruction of property, electoral disruption and the unlawful possession or use of weapons before the election.
The Governor’s action follows reports, petitions and complaints alleging incidents that reportedly caused deaths and injuries, displaced residents, damaged properties and generated fear among voters and concern among political stakeholders, civil society organisations and the wider public.
The Commission will be chaired by retired Honourable Justice Abdulkareem while the Secretary is Mr Biodun Badiora. Other members include representative of the Ministry of Justice, Mr Moses Faremi; representative of the Nigerian Bar Association: Maruf Adediran Esq who is the Osogbo NBA Chairman.
Others include representative of Civil Society Organisations, Comrade (Dr) Waheed Lawal; security expert, AIG (Dr)) Aderanti C Kayode (Rtd); media representative, Dr Adeyemi Aboderin of the Osun state chapter of the Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ); a medical/forensic representative: Azeez Morufu Olakunle; a retired military personnel, Abodunrin Mathew Adeyinka while the media officer to the commission is Mr Abdulraheem Adekilekun.
Among the commission’s key responsibilities is the task of tracing the causes and circumstances of the violence and establishing the involvement, if any, of political actors, security personnel, public officers, organisations and other individuals or groups.
It will also establish the identities of persons affected, document damage to public and private property, and examine the conduct of political parties, candidates, campaign organisations, supporters, security agencies and other stakeholders during the period under review.
Where culpability is established, the Commission may recommend appropriate criminal, civil, administrative or disciplinary action. It may also propose compensation, medical assistance, rehabilitation and other forms of support for victims and families of deceased persons.
The Commission is empowered to invite witnesses, obtain relevant official records and other materials, inspect locations connected to the incidents and conduct public proceedings where appropriate.
It may equally recommend urgent measures where necessary to preserve evidence, protect lives and prevent further violence.
The Executive Order invites victims, affected residents, political parties, candidates, security agencies, traditional institutions, community leaders, journalists, civil society organisations and members of the public with relevant information to make submissions to the Commission.
The Commission is required to submit its report within 90 days of its first sitting, subject to any extension approved by the Governor. Its findings are expected to guide recommendations on sanctions, compensation and measures aimed at preventing a recurrence of electoral violence in Osun State.
The Government of Osun State said the initiative is part of its commitment to protecting lives and property, strengthening democratic values, upholding the rule of law and ensuring that incidents capable of threatening peace and public confidence in the electoral process receive proper scrutiny.
The Executive Order establishing the Commission takes effect on September 1, 2026.
