Imole Campaign Council urges police and other agencies to remain neutral, protect voters and ensure every vote counts on Saturday

The Imole Campaign Council, the campaign organisation supporting Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke, on Friday, August 14, 2026, welcomed President Bola Tinubu’s directive to security agencies to remain professional and neutral during Saturday’s governorship election.

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The council said the directive was essential to protecting voters, preventing intimidation and preserving confidence in the electoral process.

In a statement issued in Osogbo, the council’s spokesman, Pelumi Olajengbesi, urged the Nigeria Police Force and other security agencies deployed for the election to comply fully with the President’s instruction.

“The Imole Campaign Council welcomes the statement by President Bola Tinubu calling on the police and other security agencies to be neutral and professional in Saturday’s governorship election,” Olajengbesi said.

He particularly highlighted the President’s instruction to the Inspector-General of Police, Tunji Disu, and other security chiefs to provide maximum security at polling units and protect voters.

“The President’s directive to the Inspector-General of Police, Tunji Disu, and other heads of security outfits participating in the election to provide maximum security at polling units and protect voters needs to be stressed,” he said.

The council also endorsed Tinubu’s call on the Independent National Electoral Commission to conduct a transparent, free and fair election.

However, the campaign organisation raised concerns about what it described as a lack of professional neutrality by the police in recent months.

The council urged officers deployed across Osun to set aside political considerations and treat all candidates, parties and voters equally.

“The Imole Campaign Council calls on the police to obey the presidential order and discharge their duties dispassionately on Saturday,” Olajengbesi said.

The council also appealed to National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu to ensure that the directive reaches all security personnel involved in the election and is implemented effectively.

It said security agencies should focus on protecting voters and polling units while taking action against individuals attempting to disrupt the exercise, irrespective of their political affiliation.

“Voters must be protected. Polling units must be guarded. Troublemakers must be arrested regardless of party affiliation. Ultimately, votes must count,” the council said.

The appeal comes as Osun prepares for Saturday’s governorship election, with heightened attention on election security following recent allegations of political intimidation and inflammatory statements by political actors.

The Independent National Electoral Commission has said it is ready for the poll, while 1,906,390 Permanent Voter Cards have been collected by registered voters across the state.

The figure represents 81.50 per cent of the state’s 2,339,233 registered voters.

A further 426,842 PVCs, representing 18.50 per cent, remained uncollected and had been deposited with the Central Bank of Nigeria, according to INEC.

The election will therefore test not only the ability of political parties to mobilise voters but also the capacity of security agencies and electoral officials to maintain a peaceful and credible process.

For the Adeleke campaign council, the immediate priority is ensuring that eligible voters can reach polling units without fear and cast their ballots freely.

Also read: APC makes bold Adeleke defeat claim before Osun poll

It urged Osun residents to participate peacefully and vote for candidates of their choice, while calling on security personnel to protect the integrity of the process from opening of the polls through the announcement of results.