By Gloria Drealomalicha
As political tensions continue to build ahead of the 2026 Osun State governorship election, Governor Ademola Adeleke has issued one of his strongest warnings yet to President Bola Tinubu, urging him not to allow the poll to be manipulated.
Speaking to supporters in Osun State, Adeleke cautioned that any attempt to rig the election could reopen painful memories of the political violence that engulfed the old Oyo State in 1983 a crisis widely regarded as one of the darkest chapters in Nigeria’s democratic history.
His remarks have reignited public interest in the events of 1983, with many younger Nigerians asking why that year remains a powerful reference point whenever electoral integrity is discussed.
Why 1983 Still Matters
Before Osun State was created in 1991, it formed part of the old Oyo State.
The governorship election held on 13 August 1983 became one of the most fiercely disputed elections in Nigeria’s history.
The incumbent governor, Chief Bola Ige of the Unity Party of Nigeria (UPN), was widely expected by his supporters to secure a second term after implementing several development projects across the state.
However, the Federal Electoral Commission (FEDECO) declared the National Party of Nigeria (NPN) candidate, Chief Dr Victor Omololu Olunloyo, the winner.
The announcement immediately triggered widespread controversy.
Allegations of Rigging Sparked Violence
Many residents of the South-West believed the election had been manipulated in favour of the ruling party at the federal level.
The outcome provoked violent protests across several parts of the old Oyo State. Public buildings were attacked, property was destroyed, businesses shut down and lives were lost as political supporters clashed.
Although different accounts vary on the scale of the casualties, historians agree that the violence significantly destabilised the region and deepened public distrust in the electoral process.
The crisis was not confined to Oyo State alone, as neighbouring Ondo State also witnessed serious post-election unrest following another disputed governorship contest.
A Crisis That Helped End Nigeria’s Second Republic
The political turmoil that followed the 1983 elections across parts of Nigeria contributed to growing instability.
Just months later, on 31 December 1983, the military seized power in a coup led by Major General Muhammadu Buhari, bringing Nigeria’s Second Republic to an abrupt end and suspending democratic institutions.
While several political and economic factors contributed to the coup, the disputed elections and the violence that followed are widely recognised by political historians as major triggers.
Bola Ige’s Legacy
Despite the controversy surrounding the election, Chief Bola Ige’s administration remains remembered for ambitious infrastructure projects undertaken between 1980 and 1983.
His government secured loans to expand water supply schemes and rural electrification projects in communities that later became part of present-day Osun State after its creation in 1991.
Supporters often cite these projects as evidence of his developmental agenda.
Why Adeleke Raised the Alarm
Governor Adeleke’s warning comes against the backdrop of preparations for the 2026 Osun governorship election.
He appealed directly to President Tinubu to ensure that security agencies, electoral officials and all stakeholders allow the people of Osun to decide their next governor through a transparent and credible process.
The governor argued that Nigeria cannot afford a repeat of the political turmoil that followed the disputed elections of 1983, insisting that credible elections remain the foundation of democracy.
His comments have generated intense political debate, with supporters describing the warning as a reminder of the heavy price Nigeria paid for disputed elections, while critics argue that all political actors should avoid inflammatory rhetoric and instead encourage peaceful participation.
What Nigerians Should Know
The 1983 governorship election took place when Osun was still part of the old Oyo State.
FEDECO declared NPN candidate Chief Dr Victor Omololu Olunloyo winner over incumbent Governor Bola Ige of the UPN.
The result was widely disputed, with many alleging electoral manipulation.
Violent protests erupted across parts of the old Oyo State, leading to deaths and destruction of property.
The unrest became one of the factors that preceded the military coup of 31 December 1983, which ended Nigeria’s Second Republic.
Governor Ademola Adeleke has cited those events as a warning ahead of the 2026 Osun governorship election, urging President Bola Tinubu to ensure that the forthcoming poll is free, fair and credible.
With political campaigns gathering momentum, Adeleke’s remarks have once again placed the lessons of 1983 at the centre of Nigeria’s democratic conversation, underscoring the enduring importance of credible elections and the dangers of political violence.
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