President Bola Tinubu has directed the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and security agencies to ensure a peaceful, transparent and credible governorship election in Osun State.
The election is scheduled for Saturday, August 15, 2026, with 15 candidates contesting the governorship seat.
Among the major contenders are the incumbent governor, Ademola Adeleke of the Accord Party; the All Progressives Congress candidate, Munirudeen Bola Oyebamiji; and the African Democratic Congress candidate, Najeem Salaam.
In a statement issued on Friday by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, Tinubu urged INEC to uphold the integrity of the electoral process and ensure that the election is conducted transparently and orderly.
“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.
Tinubu urged the commission to use the Osun election as an opportunity to demonstrate its readiness 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 deployed for the election to provide adequate protection for voters and electoral officials.
“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.
Tinubu stressed that voters and election officials must be protected from intimidation and urged residents to participate in the exercise without fear.
“Electoral officials and voters must be protected so they can perform their civic duties without fear or intimidation,” he said.
He also encouraged eligible voters to turn out in large numbers and exercise their constitutional rights while avoiding actions that could undermine the electoral 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,” the President said.
Tinubu maintained that the credibility of the election would ultimately be determined by whether its outcome reflects the choice 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.
