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 people of Osun State are expected to go to the polls on Saturday, August 15, 2026, to elect their 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 voters to come out and exercise their civic responsibility while refraining from any action capable of disrupting the peaceful conduct of the election.
The President also assured residents of adequate security before, during and after the election, stressing that voters should be able to cast their ballots without fear or intimidation.
“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 urged the electoral commission to use the Osun governorship election as an opportunity 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.
Tinubu 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.
“Electoral officials and voters must be protected so they can perform their civic duties without fear or intimidation,” the President said.
He encouraged voters to turn out in large numbers and vote for candidates of their choice, assuring them that measures had been put in place to guarantee a peaceful and credible election.
Tinubu stressed that the outcome of the election must reflect the wishes of the people of Osun State.
“Our elections must be credible, and the outcome of the Osun Governorship election must reflect the will of the people,” he declared.
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