Ahead of the Osun State governorship election scheduled for Saturday, August 15, 2026, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and security agencies to ensure a peaceful, transparent, and credible electoral process.
In an official statement released on Friday by his Special Adviser on Media and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, the President emphasized the need for absolute neutrality and vigilance, urging security agencies to shield voters and electoral staff from intimidation or violence.
President Tinubu directed the Inspector-General of Police and heads of allied security agencies to deploy maximum security across all polling units and collation centers. He warned that troublemakers and electoral disruptors must not be given any room to compromise the poll.
”Electoral officials and voters must be protected so they can perform their civic duties without fear or intimidation. 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 declared.
Highlighting the broader national implications of the election, President Tinubu stressed that INEC must use this final off-cycle governorship poll before the 2027 general elections as a crucial benchmark.
”INEC must use this last off-cycle election as a test case to demonstrate to Nigerians their full preparedness for the 2027 polls. Our elections must be credible, and the outcome of the Osun Governorship election must reflect the will of the people,” he added.
The election features 15 candidates vying for the Osun State Government House. Prominent contenders in the race include incumbent Governor Ademola Adeleke, All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate Asiwaju Munirudeen Bola Oyebamiji, and African Democratic Congress (ADC) candidate Hon. Najeem Salaam.
With voting slated to commence across all 30 local government areas on Saturday morning, President Tinubu charged the electorate to remain peaceful, discharge their civic duties orderly, and eschew any action capable of breaching public peace.
