By Abdullahi Mukhtar Algasgaini
President Bola Tinubu has directed the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and security agencies to guarantee a peaceful, transparent, and credible governorship election in Osun State scheduled for Saturday, August 15, 2026.
The President, in a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, charged the Inspector-General of Police and other security chiefs to provide maximum protection at polling units across the state.
Fifteen candidates are vying for the governorship seat, including the incumbent Governor Ademola Adeleke, the All Progressives Congress candidate, Asiwaju Munirudeen Bola Oyebamiji, and the African Democratic Congress candidate, Hon. Najeem Salaam.
“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 emphasized that INEC must use the Osun off-cycle election as a test case to demonstrate its full preparedness for the 2027 general elections.
“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,” he added.
Tinubu also called on Osun voters to turn out in large numbers to exercise their civic rights while avoiding any acts that could disrupt the peaceful conduct of the election.
“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 stated.
“Our elections must be credible, and the outcome of the Osun Governorship election must reflect the will of the people,” Tinubu declared.
