Tinubu Urges INEC to Use Osun Election as Test of 2027 Readiness, Calls for Credible Poll
As the electorate in Osun State heads for the governorship election, which will be held on Saturday, August 15th, 2026, President Bola Tinubu has called on the Independent National Electoral...
As the electorate in Osun State heads for the governorship election, which will be held on Saturday, August 15th, 2026, President Bola Tinubu has called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to use the coming poll as a litmus test for its readiness for the 2027 general elections, calling for a free and fair election.
The President, in a statement issued on Friday by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, urged INEC and other relevant stakeholders, including the security agencies, to ensure the integrity of the electoral process and provide a transparent and orderly election.
The off-cycle governorship election, which is holding on Saturday, has been at the centre of attention and monitoring amongst international and local observers, media and citizens, given some media reports of violence and interference from different interested actors.
Meanwhile, the election, which will bring in the next governor of Osun State, will feature candidates from 15 participating political parties. Among the candidates are the incumbent Governor Ademola Adeleke of the Accord Party, the All Progressives Congress candidate, Munirudeen Bola Oyebamiji, and the African Democratic Congress candidate, Najeem Salaam.
Commenting on preparations for the election, the President urged citizens and INEC to help ensure a transparent, free and fair poll, stressing that the commission must protect the integrity of the process.
He said INEC must treat the final off-cycle election as a test of its readiness for the 2027 polls, adding that the Inspector-General of Police and other security chiefs involved had been directed to ensure maximum security at polling units.
He also added that both the electoral officials and voters must be protected so they can perform their civic duties without fear or intimidation.
Osun State voters will head to the polls on Saturday, August 15, 2026, to choose their next governor from 15 candidates, including incumbent Governor Ademola Adeleke, APC candidate Asiwaju Munirudeen Bola Oyebamiji, and ADC candidate Hon. Najeem Salaam.
President Tinubu also urged Osun voters to turn out and fulfil their civic duty, avoid actions that could disrupt the election, and assured them of their safety before and after the polls.
“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. I urge INEC to ensure the integrity of the process,” the statement reads.
“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.
“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.
“Electoral officials and voters must be protected so they can perform their civic duties without fear or intimidation.
“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,” President Tinubu declared.
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