Tinubu urges peaceful Osun election, charges security agencies to protect voters

President Bola Tinubu has urged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and security agencies to ensure a peaceful, transparent and credible governorship election in Osun State.

The Osun governorship election is scheduled for Saturday, August 15, with 15 candidates seeking to become the next governor of the state.

Among the leading contenders are the incumbent governor, Ademola Adeleke of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP); the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate, Munirudeen Bola Oyebamiji; and the African Democratic Congress (ADC) candidate, Najeem Salaam.

In a statement issued on Friday by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, Mr Tinubu urged INEC to ensure the integrity of the electoral process.

“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 president said.

Mr Tinubu described the election as an opportunity for INEC to demonstrate its preparedness for 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.

Security agencies tasked with protecting voters

The president also directed the Inspector-General of Police and other heads of security agencies deployed for the election to provide adequate security at polling units.

“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,” he said.

Mr Tinubu stressed the need to protect both voters and electoral officials from intimidation or violence.

“Electoral officials and voters must be protected so they can perform their civic duties without fear or intimidation,” he said.

He also urged Osun residents to turn out in large numbers and exercise their right to vote peacefully.

“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,” Mr Tinubu said.

The president called on voters to avoid actions capable of disrupting the electoral process, while assuring them of their safety before and after the election.

“Our elections must be credible, and the outcome of the Osun Governorship election must reflect the will of the people,” President Tinubu declared.