President Bola Tinubu has directed the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and security agencies to ensure a peaceful, transparent and credible governorship election in Osun State.
The President gave the directive as voters across the state prepare to elect a governor on Saturday, August 15, 2026.
Fifteen candidates are participating in the election, with the major contenders including the incumbent Governor Ademola Adeleke of the Accord Party, All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate, Asiwaju Munirudeen Bola Oyebamiji, and African Democratic Congress (ADC) candidate, Hon. Najeem Salaam.
Tinubu urged INEC to protect the integrity of the electoral process and ensure that the election is conducted in a manner that reflects the wishes of Osun voters.
“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 the last off-cycle governorship election before the 2027 general elections and urged INEC to use the poll to demonstrate its preparedness for the next general election.
“INEC must use this last off-cycle election as a test case to demonstrate to Nigerians their full preparedness for the 2027 polls,” Tinubu added.
Tinubu Warns Against Electoral Violence
The President also directed the Inspector-General of Police and other security chiefs involved in the election to provide maximum protection for voters and electoral officials.
He warned troublemakers against attempting to disrupt the electoral process.
“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.
Tinubu stressed that electoral officials and voters must be able to carry out their responsibilities without intimidation or fear.
“Electoral officials and voters must be protected so they can perform their civic duties without fear or intimidation,” he added.
Tinubu also urged eligible voters to turn out in large numbers and exercise their constitutional right to vote.
He assured residents that adequate security measures had been put in place 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,” the President said.
The President insisted that the credibility of the election would depend on the extent to which the final result reflects the choice of the electorate.
“Our elections must be credible, and the outcome of the Osun Governorship election must reflect the will of the people,” Tinubu declared.
