Lawyer Ogunjimi Calls For State of Emergency in Osun Over Political Killings
By Adeyemi Obadimu
A Lagos-based legal practitioner, George Ogunjimi, has called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to consider declaring a state of emergency in Osun State over rising politically motivated killings and violence ahead of the August 15 governorship election.
Ogunjimi, the Bamofin of Ojo, Lagos, made the call in his latest Midweek Law Clinic, titled “Osun State’s Recent Politically Motivated Killings: The Need for a State of Emergency.”
He said the reported killings, political intimidation, cult-related violence and growing fear among residents had reached a critical point, warning that citizens must be able to campaign, associate and vote without fear for democracy to function effectively.
The lawyer cited reports indicating that election-related violence in the state had increased significantly, with recent assessments recording 73 incidents and 29 deaths, including 54 incidents between May and July 2026.
He also referenced reports that the Nigeria Police Force had documented 30 politically motivated killings in the state.
Ogunjimi said the situation had raised serious concerns about the safety of voters and the credibility of the forthcoming election, stressing that political violence should not be reduced to a conflict between rival political parties.
He urged the Federal Government to assess whether the existing security architecture was still capable of protecting lives and ensuring the peaceful exercise of citizens’ democratic rights.
According to him, Section 305 of the 1999 Constitution provides the framework for a presidential declaration of a state of emergency where circumstances justify such exceptional action.
However, Ogunjimi cautioned that any emergency measure must not be used to suspend democracy, silence opposition or manipulate the electoral process.
He called for stronger intelligence-led security operations, protection of voters and candidates irrespective of political affiliation, rapid response to emerging threats and prosecution of perpetrators and political sponsors where evidence establishes their involvement.
The lawyer also urged political parties, security agencies, INEC, traditional institutions, religious leaders and civil society organisations to prioritise the protection of lives ahead of the election.
“No political contest is worth one Nigerian life,” Ogunjimi said, warning that Osun must not become another case where political violence is ignored until it develops into a full-blown security crisis.
He said the people of Osun had the right to campaign, vote and express their political choices freely, adding that “no election is worth a single life.”
