Tinubu Charges INEC, Security Agencies to Ensure Credible Osun Governorship Election
By Nafiu Muhammad Lema
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and security agencies to ensure a peaceful, transparent and credible governorship election in Osun State.
The election is scheduled for Saturday, August 15, 2026, with 15 candidates vying for the governorship seat.
Among the major contenders are the incumbent governor, Ademola Adeleke of the Accord Party; the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate, Munirudeen Bola Oyebamiji; and the African Democratic Congress (ADC) candidate, Najeem Salaam.
Tinubu made the call in a statement issued on Friday by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga.
The President urged INEC to uphold the integrity of the electoral process and ensure that the poll is conducted in an orderly, free and fair manner.
He described the Osun election as an opportunity for INEC to demonstrate its preparedness for the 2027 general elections, urging the commission to use the exercise as a test of its capacity to deliver credible polls.
Tinubu also directed the Inspector-General of Police and other security agencies deployed for the election to provide adequate protection for voters and electoral officials and prevent troublemakers from disrupting the process.
He stressed that voters and election officials must be protected from intimidation and allowed to perform their civic responsibilities without fear.
The President encouraged eligible voters in Osun to come out and exercise their constitutional right to vote for candidates of their choice, while urging them to avoid actions capable of undermining the peaceful conduct of the election.
According to him, the credibility of the election will ultimately be measured by whether its outcome reflects the genuine choice of the people of Osun State.
“Our elections must be credible, and the outcome of the Osun Governorship election must reflect the will of the people,” Tinubu said.
