Ahead of the August 15 governorship election in Osun State, businessman Isaac Fayose has lamented that the state has been flooded with thugs.

According to him, the thugs were unleashed on the state by the All Progressives Congress (APC).

He said, “I hope you all are seeing APC’s desperation in Osun. They have flooded the state with all kinds of thugs. We are in trouble.

“APC wants to win by force and so they brought thugs to the state. We are in trouble in 2027. If you think we are okay, we are not.

“This APC desperation does not have part two. Nigerians, you must arise and take your country back. This is definitely not the country you want.”

The election is hotly contested by incumbent Governor Ademola Adeleke of Accord Party against APC candidate Bola Oyebamiji.

Both the APC and ruling Accord Party have accused each other of sponsoring thugs against opposition supporters in the state.

A report by Kimpact Development Initiative (KDI) stated that 44 election-related violent incidents were recorded in Osun between October 2025 and June 2026, resulting in 13 fatalities. The report noted that 26 of those incidents occurred in May and June alone. This has prompted civil society organisations to call on security agencies to wrestle with the situation.

ASA