The much-anticipated Osun State governorship election has come and gone, bringing to an end weeks of intense political activities, anxiety and uncertainty across the state.
While the election has produced a winner, it has also left behind a troubling trail of electoral violence leading to loss of lives as well as many sustaining injuries,amid intimidation and other threats.
In this report, Olatunde Olajide examined the human cost of the election as well as many whose normal lives would forever be affected after the ballots were counted and Governor Ademola Adeleke returned for a second term in office.
Reports indicate that at least 73 election-related violent incidents were recorded during the 2026 governorship election which took place few days ago .
No fewer than 29 deaths were reported while others sustained several injuries before, and during the electioneering process conducted across the 30 LGAs of the state.
This has left many families devastated ,counting their losses as they mourned the death of their loved ones.
From Ilobu to Ikire, Ilesa and Esa-Oke, lives were lost, with Ijesaland reportedly recording the highest number of casualties.
Owoeye Funmilola is the mother of late Kunle Owoeye, who was killed in Ilesa days before the election, she is still mourning her son’s death quietly while Kunle, a father of three, was also reported to have lost his life due to election related violence .
Oyinlola Anthony is lucky to have survived multiple gunshot wounds, with seven bullets initially removed through traditional treatment and three others later extracted at a hospital. He recounted his experience to ait.live.
Meanwhile, the Osun State government in view of the latest development has constituted an election violence victims committee to oversee the disbursement of 500million naira endowment fund to the affected victims and their families to cushion the emotional effect on them
But beyond the promises, questions remain: Who were responsible for the killings? How many suspects have been arrested so far, and will they eventually face the consequences of their actions in court?
For the victims and their families, their major concern is how to get justice.
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(Editor: Nkoli Omhoudu)
