OSUN: Tinubu Urges Peaceful Osun Election, Tasks INEC and Security Agencies to Protect Voters

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has urged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and security agencies to ensure that Saturday’s Osun State governorship election is peaceful, transparent, free and fair, while calling on voters to exercise their civic responsibility without fear or intimidation.

• The Osun governorship election is scheduled for Saturday, August 15, 2026.

• President Tinubu has tasked INEC with ensuring the integrity and credibility of the electoral process.

• Security agencies have been directed to protect voters, electoral officials and polling units.

• The President described the election as an opportunity for INEC to demonstrate its preparedness ahead of the 2027 general elections.

• Tinubu urged voters to reject violence and allow the outcome to reflect the will of Osun residents.

On the eve of the Osun State governorship election, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has called on INEC and security agencies to ensure a peaceful and credible electoral process across the state. The President urged INEC to ensure the orderly conduct of the election and described the poll as an important opportunity to demonstrate the Commission’s preparedness for the 2027 general elections.

He also directed the Inspector-General of Police and other security chiefs involved in the election to provide adequate protection at polling units and prevent troublemakers from disrupting the process.

Tinubu specifically called for the protection of voters and electoral officials so they can participate in the election without fear or intimidation. He also urged Osun residents to come out and vote for candidates of their choice while avoiding actions capable of disrupting the exercise.

The election features about 15 candidates, including incumbent Governor Ademola Adeleke, APC candidate Asiwaju Munirudeen Bola Oyebamiji and ADC candidate Hon. Najeem Salaam.

The President said the final outcome must reflect the will of the people of Osun State.

According to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu;

The election must be transparent, free and fair.

INEC must use this last off-cycle election as a test case to demonstrate to Nigerians their full preparedness for the 2027 polls.

Our elections must be credible, and the outcome of the Osun Governorship election must reflect the will of the people.

The Osun governorship election is an off-cycle election and comes as Nigeria approaches the 2027 general elections. Governor Ademola Adeleke is seeking another term, while the APC and ADC are among the parties challenging the incumbent. The timing of the President’s statement places particular attention on three issues: the credibility of the electoral process, the conduct of security personnel and the protection of voters and electoral officials.

Source: President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, through Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President (Information and Strategy)

PROGRESSVIEWS ANALYSIS

The President’s intervention comes at a sensitive moment, with voters heading to the polls within hours. Beyond the call for peace, the key concern is whether INEC and security agencies will translate these assurances into visible neutrality, effective voter protection and a credible voting process.

For voters, this means the responsibility for a peaceful election does not rest solely with political parties. Electoral officials, security personnel, candidates and citizens all have roles to play. The President’s reference to 2027 also raises the stakes, as the conduct of the Osun election could influence public confidence in Nigeria’s broader electoral preparations.

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The Osun election presents Nigeria with another opportunity to demonstrate that democracy is ultimately about more than determining a winner; it is about protecting the freedom of citizens to make that choice. As the country approaches the 2027 general elections, the credibility of this off-cycle poll will be measured by whether voters can participate freely, safely and without intimidation.

A peaceful election must therefore go beyond the absence of violence. Transparent procedures, professional security conduct, credible electoral administration and respect for the final result are essential to building public confidence. Osun can show that political competition can be intense without becoming violent, disagreements can exist without hatred, and political power can be determined by ballots. The real test is whether the final result is accepted as a credible reflection of the people's choice. It is time for the people to choose.