By Ayo Ayodele
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 people of Osun State are scheduled to vote on Saturday, August 15, 2026, to elect their governor, with 15 candidates participating in the election.
Among the major contenders are the incumbent Governor, Ademola Adeleke; 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 INEC to ensure that the election meets the required standards of transparency, fairness and integrity.
“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,” Tinubu said.
The President described the Osun governorship poll as an important opportunity for INEC to demonstrate its preparedness ahead of 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.
Tinubu also directed the Inspector-General of Police and other security chiefs involved in the election to provide maximum security at polling units and prevent troublemakers from disrupting the electoral process.
He stressed that electoral officials and voters must be adequately protected to enable them to carry out their civic responsibilities 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 said.
Tinubu further appealed to the electorate to shun violence and other acts capable of undermining the election, assuring residents of their safety 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,” he declared.
The President’s appeal comes as political parties and candidates intensify their preparations for Saturday’s election, which is expected to be closely watched as one of the key electoral tests ahead of the 2027 general elections.