President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has called on electoral and security authorities to ensure that Saturday’s governorship election in Osun State is peaceful, transparent, and credible, while urging voters to turn out without fear or intimidation.
Residents of Osun State will vote on Saturday, August 15, 2026, to elect a governor for the next four years. Fifteen candidates are contesting the election, including incumbent Governor Ademola Adeleke, All Progressives Congress candidate Asiwaju Munirudeen Bola Oyebamiji, and African Democratic Congress candidate Hon. Najeem Salaam.
In a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, President Tinubu charged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to protect the integrity of the electoral process and ensure that the outcome reflects the electorate’s choice.
“The election must be transparent, free and fair. I urge INEC to ensure the integrity of the process,” the President said.
Tinubu also described the Osun governorship poll as an important test for INEC ahead of 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 said he had directed the Inspector-General of Police and heads of other security agencies involved in the election to provide adequate security at polling centres and prevent attempts to disrupt voting.
He stressed that voters and electoral officials must be able to carry out their responsibilities without threats, violence or intimidation.
“Electoral officials and voters must be protected so they can perform their civic duties without fear or intimidation,” Tinubu said.
The President also encouraged eligible voters across Osun State to participate fully in the election and choose their preferred candidate peacefully.
He warned against actions capable of disturbing public order before, during or after the poll, while assuring residents that necessary security arrangements had been put in place.
The Osun governorship election is significant not only for residents of the state but also for Nigeria’s wider democratic process.
As an off-cycle election taking place ahead of the 2027 general elections, the poll will provide another opportunity to assess INEC’s preparedness, the conduct of security agencies and the ability of political actors to respect electoral rules.
For voters, attention will likely focus on whether polling units open on time, election materials arrive as expected, results are properly recorded and the overall process remains peaceful.
The conduct of political parties and their supporters will also be important. While campaigns are often highly competitive, credible elections depend on allowing citizens to vote freely and ensuring that disputes are handled through lawful channels rather than violence.
Tinubu said the government’s expectation was clear: the final result must reflect the will 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 declared.
With thousands of voters expected at polling units across the state, Saturday’s election will now place attention firmly on INEC, security agencies, political parties and the electorate as Osun decides who will govern the state for the next four years.
