President Bola Tinubu has called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and security agencies to ensure a peaceful, transparent and credible governorship election in Osun State on Saturday.
The President made the call in a statement issued on Friday by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, urging INEC to conduct the poll in a free, fair and orderly manner.
“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 in the statement issued on Friday.
Tinubu also asked the electoral body to use the Osun election as an opportunity to demonstrate its readiness 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 further directed the Inspector-General of Police and other security chiefs to provide maximum security at polling units and prevent any attempt to disrupt 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 said.
He stressed the need to protect voters and electoral officials, urging residents to participate in the election without fear or intimidation.
“Electoral officials and voters must be protected so they can perform their civic duties without fear or intimidation. 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.
“Our elections must be credible, and the outcome of the Osun Governorship election must reflect the will of the people,” the president said.
Tinubu urged voters to conduct themselves peacefully and avoid actions that could undermine the election.
More than 25,000 security personnel have been deployed for the poll, while INEC said preparations were on course. Fifteen candidates are expected to contest as voters across the state’s 30 local government areas elect a governor for the next four years.
