The political parties’ council asks INEC and security agencies to protect voters and prevent intimidation, violence and electoral manipulation
The Inter-Party Advisory Council has urged the Independent National Electoral Commission and security agencies to ensure a free, fair and credible Osun governorship election on Saturday, August 15, 2026, amid rising political tension ahead of the poll.
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IPAC National Chairman, Yusuf Dantalle, made the appeal in Abuja on Monday after the council’s General Assembly meeting, warning political actors and state institutions against actions that could undermine public confidence in the electoral process.
Dantalle said the election should be a genuine contest based on competing ideas, policies and programmes, rather than an exercise in political intimidation or institutional interference.
“No individual or institution should attempt to substitute its will for that of the electorate,” he said.
The IPAC chairman urged political parties, candidates and their supporters to lower the temperature of their campaigns and avoid statements or actions capable of aggravating tensions in the state.
“We urge all political actors to lower the temperature of political rhetoric and refrain from statements, threats, actions or counter-actions capable of aggravating tension or threatening the peace and stability of the State,” Dantalle said.
His appeal comes as INEC completes preparations for what is expected to be a closely contested election, with 14 political parties cleared to participate in the August 15 governorship poll.
IPAC called on INEC to conduct the election with professionalism, transparency, independence and impartiality, while complying fully with the Constitution, the Electoral Act 2026 and the Commission’s approved timetable.
Dantalle said election officials and ad-hoc personnel must remain neutral throughout the voting and collation processes.
He also urged the Commission to ensure that all parties and candidates receive equal treatment, while complaints arising during the election are addressed within its legal powers.
Particular emphasis was placed on the protection of the integrity of the voting process, including transparent accreditation, timely distribution of electoral materials and accurate collation of results.
IPAC also appealed to security agencies deployed across Osun to remain within their constitutional and statutory responsibilities.
Dantalle said security personnel must protect voters, candidates, party agents, electoral officials and election materials without discrimination.
“Security personnel must protect voters, candidates, party agents, electoral officials and election materials without discrimination.
They must not become instruments for suppressing legitimate political activities or intimidating voters,” he said.
He said the security of residents must remain the overriding priority throughout the electoral process.
The council also raised concerns over the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission’s decision to freeze Osun State Government accounts, describing the action as politically motivated and potentially damaging to the administration’s ability to provide essential services.
Dantalle argued that financial investigations could be conducted without restricting access to public funds required for salaries and other government responsibilities.
Beyond the dispute over the frozen accounts, IPAC condemned vote buying, electoral violence and the alleged use of government institutions to intimidate political opponents.
The council maintained that state institutions should remain neutral and should not be deployed to create partisan advantage during the election.
With political activity intensifying ahead of Saturday’s vote, Dantalle called on candidates and supporters to embrace peaceful competition and resolve disputes through lawful channels.
He also urged voters to protect their permanent voter cards and participate peacefully in the democratic process.
The IPAC chairman stressed that the credibility of an election depends not only on the identity of the eventual winner but also on whether voters believe the result accurately reflects their choices.
“Let the votes of the people count. Let the votes be counted accurately. Let the results reflect the votes. Let the will of the people prevail,” he said.
The appeal comes against the backdrop of growing political activity in Osun, where the contest has drawn heightened attention from political parties, security agencies and national stakeholders.
For IPAC, the priority is now to ensure that political competition does not undermine public safety or the credibility of the electoral process.
With 14 parties set to contest the governorship election, the council has called on every stakeholder to protect what it described as the democratic integrity of Osun State.
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The final responsibility, however, will rest not only with INEC and security agencies but also with political parties, candidates and voters, whose conduct will shape the atmosphere before, during and after the poll.
David Okere is a journalist and contributor to Freelanews.com, covering business, governance, public affairs, and human-interest stories with a commitment to accuracy, balance, and public interest reporting.
