President Bola Tinubu has urged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and security agencies to guarantee a peaceful, transparent and credible governorship election in Osun State on Saturday. In a statement released on Friday by his spokesperson, Bayo Onanuga, the president also called on eligible voters to turn out and exercise their civic rights, assuring them of adequate security before, during and after the poll.
The election features 15 candidates, including incumbent Governor Ademola Adeleke of the Accord Party, All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate Bola Oyebamiji, and African Democratic Congress (ADC) candidate Najeem Salaam.
Tinubu emphasised that INEC must conduct a free, fair and transparent election that truly reflects the will of the people. “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,” he said. “The election must be transparent, free and fair. I urge INEC to ensure the integrity of the process.”
The president described the off-cycle election as a critical 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 stated.
Tinubu said he had directed security agencies to provide maximum protection for voters, electoral officials and election materials. He charged the Inspector-General of Police and other security chiefs to secure polling units and prevent any disruption. “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 said.
The president encouraged voters to participate peacefully and vote for candidates of their choice. “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 added. “Our elections must be credible, and the outcome of the Osun governorship election must reflect the will of the people.”
