President Bola Tinubu has called on the Independent National Electoral Commission 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 vying for the governorship seat.
Among the major contenders are the incumbent governor, Ademola Adeleke of the Accord Party; the All Progressives Congress candidate, Bola Oyebamiji; and the African Democratic Congress candidate, Najeem Salaam.
Tinubu made the call in a statement issued on Friday by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga.
The President urged INEC to uphold the integrity of the electoral process and ensure that the election is conducted in an orderly, free and fair manner.
He described the poll as an opportunity for the electoral commission to demonstrate its preparedness for the 2027 general elections.
According to Tinubu, INEC should use the Osun election, the final off-cycle governorship poll before the 2027 elections, as a test of its ability to deliver credible elections.
The President also directed the Inspector-General of Police and other security chiefs deployed for the election to provide adequate protection for voters and electoral officials.
He warned that troublemakers should not be allowed to disrupt the voting process, stressing the need to protect citizens from intimidation and violence.
Tinubu encouraged eligible voters in Osun State to turn out in large numbers and exercise their constitutional right to vote for candidates of their choice.
He further emphasised that the credibility of the election would be determined by whether its outcome truly reflected the wishes of the people.
“Our elections must be credible, and the outcome of the Osun Governorship election must reflect the will of the people,” the President said.
