President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has directed the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and security agencies to ensure a peaceful, transparent and credible governorship election in Osun State on Saturday, August 15, 2026.
With voters across the state preparing to choose their next governor, Tinubu urged electoral authorities to protect the integrity of the process and ensure that the final result reflects the choice of the electorate.
Also read: Osun election: FRSC tightens road safety with 2,500 personnel
The President described the election as an important test for Nigeria’s electoral system, particularly because it is the final off-cycle governorship election before the 2027 general elections.
“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,” Tinubu said.
“The election must be transparent, free and fair. I urge INEC to ensure the integrity of the process.”
Tinubu said INEC should use the Osun election to demonstrate its preparedness for the 2027 polls.
“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 issued a warning to individuals who may attempt to disrupt voting or intimidate voters and electoral officials.
He directed the Inspector-General of Police and other security chiefs involved in the election to provide maximum protection at polling units and other critical locations.
“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 voters and electoral officials should be able to participate without fear or intimidation.
“Electoral officials and voters must be protected so they can perform their civic duties without fear or intimidation,” he added.
The President’s intervention comes as security preparations have intensified across Osun ahead of the poll.
The police have deployed more than 15,000 personnel and 30 Commissioners of Police across the state, alongside aerial surveillance assets including helicopters and drones.
INEC has also said it is ready for the election, with 1,906,390 Permanent Voter Cards collected out of 2,339,233 registered voters in the state.
A total of 15 candidates are participating in the governorship election, although the contest has largely focused on the leading candidates.
The major contenders include incumbent Governor Ademola Adeleke of the Accord Party, Asiwaju Munirudeen Bola Oyebamiji of the All Progressives Congress and Najeem Salaam of the African Democratic Congress.
The election is expected to attract significant attention as Adeleke seeks another term while the opposition parties attempt to take control of the state.
Tinubu urged eligible voters to turn out peacefully and vote for their preferred candidates, assuring Osun residents that 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 ultimately placed the emphasis on the credibility of the result, saying the winner should emerge from the genuine choice of Osun voters.
“Our elections must be credible, and the outcome of the Osun Governorship election must reflect the will of the people,” Tinubu declared.
Also read: 2027: Plateau ADC group alleges plot to stop Jude Dakur from emerging as governorship candidate
With voting scheduled for Saturday, attention will now turn to INEC, security agencies, political parties and voters to translate those assurances into a peaceful and credible election across Osun State.
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.
