President Bola Tinubu has charged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to ensure that the outcome of Saturday’s off-cycle governorship election in Osun State reflects the will of the electorate.
Tinubu, in a statement signed by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, urged INEC to use the election as a test case for the credibility of the forthcoming 2027 general election.
The main contenders in the election, which has 15 candidates vying for the governorship seat, are the incumbent Governor, Ademola Adeleke; the All Progressives Congress candidate, Asiwaju Munirudeen Bola Oyebamiji; and the African Democratic Congress candidate, Hon. Najeem Salaam.
President Tinubu also urged eligible voters in Osun State to come out and exercise their civic responsibility, while urging them to eschew any act that could disrupt the peaceful conduct of the election.
He assured the people of the state of their safety before, during and after the polls.
His statement read:
“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 its 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.”
