Tinubu Urges Peaceful Osun Election, Orders Security Agencies to Protect Voters

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 to hold on Saturday, August 15, 2026, with 15 candidates vying for the governorship seat. Among the leading contenders are incumbent Governor Ademola Adeleke of the Peoples Democratic Party, the All Progressives Congress candidate, Asiwaju Munirudeen Bola Oyebamiji, and the African Democratic Congress candidate, Hon. Najeem Salaam.

In a statement issued on Friday by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, President Tinubu urged INEC to ensure that the electoral process is orderly, free and fair, stressing the need to protect the integrity of the election.

“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. The election must be transparent, free and fair,” the President said.

Tinubu described the Osun governorship poll as an opportunity for INEC to demonstrate its preparedness 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 added.

The President also directed the Inspector-General of Police and other security chiefs participating in the election to provide maximum security at polling units and prevent individuals from disrupting the exercise.

He emphasised that electoral officials and voters must be adequately protected to enable them discharge their civic responsibilities without fear or intimidation.

“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 stated.

He urged eligible voters across the state to come out and vote for candidates of their choice, assuring them that necessary 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.

President Tinubu further stressed that the final outcome of the election must reflect the wishes 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,” the President declared.