Osun election: Tinubu instructs INEC, security agents to ensure free and fair voting

By Kingston Magare 14.8.2026
With Saturday’s Osun State governorship election a few hours away, President Tinubu has harped on the need for a violence free and fair voting.
Incumbent governor Ademola Adeleke and his Accord Party supporters are locked in a battle with the All-Progressives Congress candidate Munirudeen Bola Oyebamiji, backed by former governor and now minister of blue economy Adegboyega Oyetola.
Oyetola was denied a second term in office by governor Ademola in 2022 and for him it is payback time for the incumbent governor. The election has generated a lot of tension, and several persons have been killed in violent attacks.
Speaking in a statement released by his information and strategy adviser Bayo Onanuga, President Tinubu stated that acts of violence will not be condoned, he called on the security agencies to prevent chaos.
“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.
“INEC must use this last off-cycle election as a test case to demonstrate to Nigerians their full preparedness for the 2027 polls.
“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.
“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.”