Osun Election: Tinubu Speaks Ahead Of Saturday Election, Tells INEC What Must Happen

Ahead of the Saturday, August 15, 2026, Osun State governorship election featuring 15 candidates—including incumbent Governor Ademola Adeleke of the Accord Party, Munirudeen Bola Oyebamiji of the All Progressives Congress, and Najeem Salaam of the African Democratic Congress—President Bola Tinubu called on electoral and security authorities to guarantee a secure and transparent process.

Through a Friday statement issued by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, the President instructed the Independent National Electoral Commission to maintain electoral integrity and ensure orderly voting.

“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.

Furthermore, Tinubu tasked the electoral body with treating the exercise as a benchmark for the upcoming national ballots.

“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.

Addressing security measures, the President instructed the Inspector-General of Police and other security heads to secure polling stations and prevent any disruptions.

“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 stated.

He emphasized that officials and citizens must be safeguarded against harassment so they can cast their ballots safely.

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

Encouraging high voter turnout, Tinubu urged residents to exercise their rights peacefully and assured them that proper safeguards are established.

“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 remarked.

Concluding his directive, the President stressed that the final tally must genuinely represent the electorate’s choice.

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