President Tinubu has ordered tight security and charged INEC on credible poll in Osun governorship election.
NewsOnline Nigeria reports that President Bola Tinubu has called on the Independent National Electoral Commission and security agencies to ensure that Saturday’s governorship election in Osun State is peaceful, transparent, free and fair.
The President also directed security agencies to prevent troublemakers from disrupting the electoral process and to protect voters and election officials from intimidation.
Osun residents will head to the polls on Saturday, August 15, 2026, to elect a governor for the next four years. Fifteen candidates are contesting the election, including incumbent Governor Ademola Adeleke of the Accord Party, All Progressives Congress candidate Asiwaju Munirudeen Bola Oyebamiji and African Democratic Congress flagbearer Najeem Salaam.
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In a statement issued on Friday by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, Tinubu urged eligible voters to participate peacefully and avoid actions capable of undermining 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 the orderly conduct of the election,” the President said.
“The election must be transparent, free and fair. I urge INEC to ensure the integrity of the process.”
Tinubu said the Osun election should serve as an important test of INEC’s readiness for the 2027 general elections.
“INEC must use this last off-cycle election as a test case to demonstrate to Nigerians its full preparedness for the 2027 polls,” he said.
The President disclosed that he had instructed the Inspector-General of Police and heads of other security agencies deployed for the exercise to provide maximum security at polling centres.
“No room should be allowed for troublemakers to disrupt the process. Electoral officials and voters must be protected so they can perform their civic duties without fear or intimidation,” he said.
Tinubu assured the electorate that adequate measures had been introduced to maintain security before, during and after the election.
He encouraged residents to vote for their preferred candidates, adding that the result must represent the people’s decision.
“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.
“Our elections must be credible, and the outcome of the Osun governorship election must reflect the will of the people,” the President said.
