President Bola Tinubu has charged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and security agencies to ensure a peaceful, transparent and credible governorship election in Osun State.
The President made the call in a statement issued on Friday by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga and made available to The News Chronicle ahead of Saturday’s governorship election in the state.
The election, scheduled for August 15, 2026, will feature 15 candidates, including incumbent Governor Ademola Adeleke of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate Asiwaju Munirudeen Bola Oyebamiji, and African Democratic Congress (ADC) candidate Hon. Najeem Salaam.
Tinubu urged INEC to ensure the integrity of the electoral process, describing the Osun election as an opportunity for the commission to demonstrate its preparedness for the 2027 general elections.
“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 added: “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 also 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 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,” Tinubu said.
He stressed the need to protect electoral officials and voters, urging residents to come out and exercise their franchise 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,” he said.
Tinubu further called on the people of Osun to shun acts capable of undermining the election and assured them of adequate security before, during and after the polls.
“Our elections must be credible, and the outcome of the Osun Governorship election must reflect the will of the people,” the President declared.
