By Peace Udugba
President Tinubu charges INEC to ensure a transparent and credible poll, urges voters to exercise their civic rights without fear or intimidation
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 election, scheduled for Saturday, August 15, 2026, will see 15 candidates contest for the governorship of the state, including incumbent Governor Ademola Adeleke of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate, Asiwaju Munirudeen Bola Oyebamiji, and the African Democratic Congress (ADC) candidate, Hon. Najeem Salaam.
In a statement issued on Friday by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, President Tinubu urged voters to come out and exercise their constitutional right while avoiding any action capable of disrupting the peaceful conduct of the election.
The President also assured residents of adequate security before, during and after the poll.
“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 Osun governorship election as an opportunity for INEC 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,” the President added.
Tinubu further directed the Inspector-General of Police and other heads of security agencies deployed for the election to provide maximum security at polling units and prevent troublemakers 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.
He stressed the need to protect both voters and electoral officials, urging security agencies to ensure that citizens can cast their ballots without fear or intimidation.
“Electoral officials and voters must be protected so they can perform their civic duties without fear or intimidation,” Tinubu stated.
The President also encouraged eligible voters to participate in the election and vote for candidates of their choice, assuring them that adequate measures had been put in place to safeguard the 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.
Tinubu reiterated his administration’s commitment to credible elections, saying the outcome of the Osun governorship poll must reflect 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,” the President declared.
