President Bola Ahmed 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.
Osun voters are scheduled to go to the polls on Saturday, 15 August 2026, to elect a governor for the next four years, with 15 candidates contesting the election.
Among the leading contenders are the incumbent Governor, Ademola Adeleke; the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate, Asiwaju Munirudeen Bola Oyebamiji; and the African Democratic Congress (ADC) candidate, Hon. Najeem Salaam.
In a statement, President Tinubu urged INEC to ensure that the election was conducted in an orderly manner and that the integrity of the process was protected.
“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,” the President said.
He described the Osun election as an opportunity for the electoral commission to demonstrate its preparedness for the 2027 general elections.
“INEC must use this last off-cycle election as a test case to demonstrate to Nigerians their full preparedness for the 2027 polls,” he added.
President Tinubu also directed the Inspector-General of Police and other heads of security agencies deployed for the election to provide adequate security at polling units and prevent disruptions.
“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 stressed that electoral officials and voters must be protected from intimidation and violence so they could carry out their responsibilities without fear.
The President urged eligible voters to turn out in large numbers and vote for candidates of their choice, assuring them that measures had been put in place to safeguard the electoral process.
“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.
President Tinubu said the outcome of the election must accurately reflect the choice of the Osun electorate.
“Our elections must be credible, and the outcome of the Osun Governorship election must reflect the will of the people,” he declared.
