Osun 2026: Tinubu Charges INEC, Security Agencies to Ensure Free, Fair Poll

 

By Abdulahi Musa 

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

The President gave the charge on Friday, ahead of the governorship election scheduled for Saturday, August 15, 2026, with 15 candidates contesting the governorship seat.

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

He called on the electoral commission to use the Osun election as an opportunity to demonstrate its preparedness for the 2027 general elections.

Tinubu also directed the Inspector-General of Police and heads of other security agencies deployed for the election to provide adequate protection for voters and electoral officials, while preventing troublemakers from disrupting the process.

The President urged voters to come out in large numbers to exercise their constitutional right without fear or intimidation, stressing that all necessary measures had been put in place to ensure a peaceful election.

He further emphasised that the credibility of the election would depend on whether its outcome accurately reflects the choice of the people of Osun State.

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

The major contenders in Saturday’s election include incumbent Governor Ademola Adeleke of the Accord Party, All Progressives Congress candidate Bola Oyebamiji, and African Democratic Congress candidate Najeem Salaam.