Tinubu calls for peaceful Osun gov’ship election, charges security agencies to protect voters
pannigeriannews
2 min read
By Isaiah Adewole
President Bola Ahmed 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 Osun State governorship election is scheduled to hold today, August 15, 2026, with 15 candidates contesting the poll.
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 an orderly conduct of the election and protect the integrity of the electoral process.
“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 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 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,” Tinubu said.
He stressed the need to protect both voters and electoral officials, urging citizens to participate in the election without fear or intimidation.
“Electoral officials and voters must be protected so they can perform their civic duties without fear or intimidation,” he said.
Tinubu further urged eligible voters across the state to come out and vote for candidates of their choice, assuring them that adequate security measures had been put in place before, during and after 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.
He emphasised that the credibility of the election would ultimately depend on 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,” President Tinubu declared.
The President’s call comes as political parties and candidates make final preparations for Saturday’s poll, with security and the integrity of the electoral process expected to remain central to the conduct of the election.
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