A public debate planned to bring major contenders in the 2026 Osun State governorship election before voters has been called off over security concerns and the non-participation of some frontline candidates.
The development was disclosed on Saturday, in a public notice posted on the official X account of Inside Osogbo.
The debate had been fixed for 3 p.m. on Saturday, August 1, 2026, at the Aurora Events Centre along Ring Road in Osogbo. It was jointly convened by Diamond 88.5 FM, Rave 91.7 FM, Fresh 104.9 FM, Uniq 103.1 FM, Freedom TV and Western Spring TV.
The organizers had planned the event as a forum where governorship hopefuls would present their plans for Osun and respond to questions on issues central to the state’s development, including governance, security, the economy and youth empowerment.
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According to the notice, the event could not proceed after security assessments raised concerns about holding the programme, while some of the leading governorship aspirants were also unwilling to participate under the prevailing conditions.
The organizers expressed regret over the cancellation, apologized to prospective attendees and other stakeholders for the disruption, and thanked the public for its understanding.
No indication was given on whether the debate would be rescheduled.
The cancellation comes as political activities gather momentum ahead of the governorship election, with public debates widely regarded as one of the key avenues for candidates to publicly explain their policy agenda and engage directly with the electorate.