President Bola Tinubu has urged 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 will go to the polls on Saturday, August 15, 2026, to elect a governor for the next four years, with 15 candidates contesting 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, Tinubu urged INEC to ensure an orderly electoral process and uphold the integrity of the election.
“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 described the 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,” he added.
The President also directed the Inspector-General of Police and other heads of security agencies participating in the election to provide adequate security at polling units and prevent attempts to disrupt 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 that electoral officials and voters must be protected from intimidation, urging eligible voters to participate in the election without fear.
“Electoral officials and voters must be protected so they can perform their civic duties without fear or intimidation,” he said.
Tinubu further called on voters to turn out in large numbers and vote for candidates of their choice, assuring them that measures had been put in place to ensure their safety before and after the election.
“Our elections must be credible, and the outcome of the Osun Governorship election must reflect the will of the people,” the President declared.