President Bola Ahmed 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 will go to the polls on Saturday, August 15, 2026, to elect their governor, with 15 candidates contesting the election.
Among the major contenders are the incumbent governor, Ademola Adeleke of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP); the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate, Asiwaju Munirudeen Bola Oyebamiji; and the ,.
In a statement signed by Bayo Onanuga, President’s spokesperson, Tinubu urged INEC to ensure the orderly conduct of the election and maintain 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 the 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 Osun governorship 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 exercise.
“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 adequately protected to enable them to perform their civic duties without fear, intimidation or harassment.
Tinubu also urged eligible voters across the state to come out in large numbers and vote for candidates of their choice, assuring them that necessary 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,” he said.
The President declared 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,” President Tinubu said.
