President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has urged Nigeria’s electoral commission to use Saturday’s Osun State governorship election to demonstrate its readiness for the 2027 general elections.
Mr Tinubu called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to ensure the poll is conducted transparently and in a manner that protects the integrity of the electoral process.
In a statement issued on Friday by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, the president said the Osun election provides an important opportunity for INEC to demonstrate its capacity to deliver credible elections.
He urged the commission to uphold the principles of fairness and transparency, while ensuring that voters are able to exercise their rights without intimidation or interference.
The Osun governorship election is being closely watched as one of the major electoral tests ahead of Nigeria’s 2027 general elections.
The contest has drawn significant attention from the country’s major political parties, with candidates and supporters stepping up their campaigns and mobilisation across the state.
President Tinubu’s call comes amid continuing public debate over the credibility and effectiveness of Nigeria’s electoral process, particularly the need for transparent voting, efficient results management and the protection of voters’ rights.
INEC is expected to oversee voting across the state, with security agencies also deployed to maintain law and order.
The president said the conduct of Saturday’s election would be important in building public confidence in the electoral system ahead of the 2027 polls.
For many voters and political observers, the focus will now be on whether INEC can deliver a peaceful, transparent and credible election that reflects the choice of the people of Osun State.
