President Bola Tinubu has charged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to ensure that Saturday’s governorship election in Osun State is transparent, free and fair, with the final result reflecting the will of the electorate.
Tinubu also urged security agencies to provide adequate protection for voters and electoral officials, warning that troublemakers must not be allowed to disrupt the exercise.
The president made the call in a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, ahead of the off-cycle election.
He described the Osun poll as an important opportunity for INEC to demonstrate its preparedness for the 2027 general election, urging the commission to uphold the integrity of the electoral process.
“INEC must use this last off-cycle election as a test case to demonstrate to Nigerians its full preparedness for the 2027 polls,” Tinubu said.
Fifteen candidates are contesting the governorship election, with the major contenders including the incumbent governor, Ademola Adeleke; the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate, Asiwaju Munirudeen Bola Oyebamiji; and the African Democratic Congress (ADC) candidate, Hon. Najeem Salaam.
Tinubu called on eligible voters across Osun State to turn out in large numbers and vote for candidates of their choice, while urging them to avoid actions capable of undermining the peaceful conduct of the election.
He said adequate security measures had been put in place to protect voters before, during and after the polls.
“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,” the President said.
According to him, electoral officials and voters must be able to carry out their civic responsibilities without fear, intimidation or harassment.
“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 added.
The president stressed that the credibility of the electoral process remained crucial to strengthening public confidence in Nigeria’s democracy.
“Our elections must be credible, and the outcome of the Osun Governorship election must reflect the will of the people,” Tinubu said.
The election is the final off-cycle governorship poll before the 2027 general elections, making its conduct and outcome significant for INEC’s preparations for the next nationwide electoral cycle.
