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, warning that voters and electoral officials must be protected from intimidation.
The President gave the charge on the eve of Saturday’s governorship election, in which 15 candidates are vying for the governorship of the state.
Among the leading contenders are 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.
In a statement issued on Friday by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, Tinubu urged INEC to uphold the integrity of the electoral process and ensure that the election meets the required standards of transparency and fairness.
“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.
Tinubu further described Saturday’s poll as an important opportunity for the electoral commission 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.
The President also directed the Inspector-General of Police and other security chiefs deployed for the election to provide maximum security at polling units and prevent troublemakers from disrupting the exercise.
“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,” Tinubu declared.
He specifically demanded protection for voters and election officials, saying citizens must be able to exercise their franchise without fear or intimidation.
“Electoral officials and voters must be protected so they can perform their civic duties without fear or intimidation,” he said.
The President also appealed to Osun residents to turn out in large numbers and vote for candidates of their choice, assuring them that adequate security measures had been put in place before, during and after the election.
“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.
Tinubu urged all stakeholders and voters to shun acts capable of undermining the electoral process, stressing that the ultimate outcome must reflect the choice of the electorate.
“Our elections must be credible, and the outcome of the Osun Governorship election must reflect the will of the people,” the President declared.Enr
