Isaac Samuel
President Bola Tinubu has called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and security agencies to ensure a peaceful, transparent and credible governorship election in Osun State.
The election is scheduled to hold on Saturday, August 15, 2026, with 15 candidates contesting the governorship seat.
Among the leading contenders are the incumbent Governor, Ademola Adeleke of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate, Asiwaju Munirudeen Bola Oyebamiji, and the African Democratic Congress (ADC) candidate, Najeem Salaam.
In a statement issued on Friday by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, Tinubu urged INEC to ensure an orderly conduct of the election and protect the integrity of the process.
The President also described the Osun election as an opportunity for the electoral commission to demonstrate its preparedness for the 2027 general elections.
“As the people of Osun State head to the polling units to elect who will govern them in the next four years, I call on the Independent National Electoral Commission to ensure orderly conduct of the election.
“The election must be transparent, free and fair. I urge INEC to ensure the integrity of the process,” he said.
Tinubu added: “INEC must use this last off-cycle election as a test case to demonstrate to Nigerians their full preparedness for the 2027 polls.”
The President further directed the Inspector-General of Police and heads of other security agencies deployed for the election to provide maximum security at polling units and prevent troublemakers from disrupting the exercise.
“I have charged the Inspector-General of Police and other heads of security outfits taking part in the election to provide maximum security at polling units. No room should be allowed for troublemakers to disrupt the process,” he said.
He specifically stressed the need to protect voters and electoral officials from intimidation, urging eligible voters to participate in the election without fear.
“Electoral officials and voters must be protected so they can perform their civic duties without fear or intimidation,” Tinubu said.
The President also assured Osun residents that measures had been put in place to guarantee their safety before, during and after the election.
“Voters should feel confident to go out in their numbers to vote for the candidate of their choice as all measures necessary to ensure a peaceful, free and fair election have been put in place,” he said.
Tinubu said the credibility of the election would ultimately depend on whether its outcome reflected the choice of the people of Osun State.
“Our elections must be credible, and the outcome of the Osun Governorship election must reflect the will of the people,” the President declared.
