Osun election must be free, fair, Tinubu charges INEC ahead of Saturday poll

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

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The election is scheduled to hold on Saturday, August 15, 2026, with 15 candidates contesting the governorship seat.

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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.

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

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“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,” Tinubu said.

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He urged INEC to use the election as an opportunity to demonstrate its preparedness for the 2027 general elections.

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“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.

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The President also directed the Inspector-General of Police and other heads of security agencies deployed for the election to ensure adequate protection for voters and electoral officials.

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“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.

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Tinubu further stressed the need to protect voters and electoral officials from intimidation, urging residents to participate in the election without fear.

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

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The President urged voters to come out and exercise their constitutional right while refraining from actions capable of disrupting the election.

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“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 said.

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Tinubu said the credibility of the election would depend on whether its outcome accurately reflected the choice of Osun voters.

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

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