The Coalition of Civil Society Organizations for Good Governance has raised the alarm over what it described as a sinister plot to manufacture insecurity in Osun State as a pretext to declare a State of Emergency and remove the administration of Governor Ademola Adeleke ahead of the August 15, 2026 governorship election.
Addressing journalists at the Lagos Airport Hotel, Ikeja on Monday, 20th July 2026, the coalition said credible intelligence and ground reports point to a well-orchestrated scheme to unleash politically sponsored violence targeted at innocent citizens.
“Reliable reports from highly placed sources, including patriotic members of Nigeria’s security agencies, reveal plans to unleash politically sponsored violence targeted at innocent citizens in the coming weeks,” the coalition said.
According to the group, the goal is “to create sufficient chaos and bloodshed to justify federal intervention through a State of Emergency. This emergency rule would effectively remove Governor Adeleke’s administration and hand an undue advantage to the opposition All Progressives Congress (APC) in the forthcoming election.”
The coalition condemned the alleged plot, describing it as “not democracy; it is a brazen attempt at electoral capture through unconstitutional means.”
It cited recent incidents across the state where political thugs have allegedly invaded motor parks, attacking citizens and disrupting economic activities. The coalition further alleged that “some operatives of the Nigeria Police Force have been openly identified as aiding and protecting these thugs rather than stopping them.”
The group specifically called out the Osun State Police Command for what it termed a “glaring partisan posture.”
“The Command has repeatedly turned a blind eye to the growing wave of violence perpetrated by thugs allegedly sponsored by the APC. Despite numerous formal complaints and cries from citizens, the Command has failed to act decisively to protect lives and property. This selective inaction erodes public trust and emboldens criminals. A police force that chooses sides in a political contest ceases to be a neutral defender of peace and becomes part of the security threat,” it said.
The coalition insisted that the people of Osun have the sovereign right to choose their next governor without coercion or federal interference. “Governor Ademola Adeleke was democratically elected, and any attempt to remove him through manufactured emergency must be resisted by all lovers of democracy,” it stated.
The group issued a series of calls. To the Federal Government, it said: “Do not allow desperate politicians to push Nigeria into another constitutional crisis. Security agencies must remain neutral, professional, and proactive in preventing violence, not enabling it.”
To the Nigeria Police Force and other security institutions: “Return to the path of neutrality. Protect citizens, not political sponsors. The world is watching.”
To the All Progressives Congress: “Call your supporters to order. Political competition must be through ballots, not bullets or thugs.”
The coalition also appealed to the international community, including the United Nations, African Union, ECOWAS, the European Union, United States and United Kingdom, to pay close attention to developments in Osun.
“We urge you to deploy observers immediately, issue strong public warnings against any unconstitutional declaration of emergency, and monitor developments in Osun State closely,” it said.
The coalition warned that it is prepared to mobilize Nigerians against any attempt to subvert democracy in the state.
“Let it be known to all: The Coalition of Civil Society Organizations for Good Governance is fully prepared to mobilize millions of Nigerians across the country to resist, through lawful and peaceful means, any attempt to impose emergency rule or subvert the will of the Osun people. We will not sit idly by while democracy is raped in broad daylight,” it said.
It added that it is documenting evidence of those involved in violence.
“We are documenting names, faces, and evidence. Anyone involved in the orchestration or execution of violence against innocent citizens in Osun State will be held accountable.
We will drag such persons before the international community and the International Criminal Court in The Hague. Political violence is a crime against humanity, and impunity will no longer be tolerated.”
The group concluded: “The people of Osun State deserve peace. They deserve the right to vote freely.”
