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 Osun election is scheduled for Saturday, August 15, 2026, with 15 candidates competing for the governorship seat. Among those contesting are the incumbent Governor Ademola Adeleke of the Accord Party, All Progressives Congress, APC, candidate Munirudeen Bola Oyebamiji and African Democratic Congress, ADC, candidate Najeem Salaam.
Tinubu made the call in a statement issued on Friday by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga. The President urged INEC to protect the integrity of the electoral process and ensure that voting and collation are conducted transparently and orderly.
“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,” Tinubu said.
He described the poll 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.
The President also directed the Inspector-General of Police and other security chiefs deployed for the election to provide adequate protection for voters and electoral officials. He warned that security personnel must prevent individuals from disrupting the voting 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 further emphasised the need to protect voters and election officials against intimidation.
“Electoral officials and voters must be protected so they can perform their civic duties without fear or intimidation,” the President said.
Tinubu also encouraged residents of Osun State to come out and exercise their constitutional right to vote. He urged voters to support candidates of their choice peacefully and avoid actions that could undermine 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.
The President stressed that the credibility of the Osun election would ultimately depend on whether its result reflected 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.
The election comes as political parties conclude their final mobilisation efforts across the state. A total of 15 candidates are scheduled to contest the governorship position, although the major contest has centred largely on Adeleke, Oyebamiji and Salaam.
Adeleke is seeking another term after winning the governorship election four years ago, while Oyebamiji is representing the APC in the contest. Salaam is contesting under the ADC platform.
With voting scheduled for Saturday, attention is now focused on INEC, security agencies, political parties and voters to ensure that the election proceeds without violence or intimidation. The outcome will also provide another test of Nigeria’s electoral process ahead of the 2027 general elections.
