Ensure Ekiti, Osun polls are peaceful, Tinubu urges INEC

President Bola Tinubu has called for peaceful and credible elections in Ekiti and Osun states, urging all stakeholders to uphold the integrity of Nigeria’s democratic process.

Speaking in his Democracy Day address on Friday, Tinubu said the coming polls in the two South-West states would serve as another test of the nation’s democratic maturity after 27 years of uninterrupted civilian rule.

He charged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), security agencies, political parties and citizens to ensure that the elections are conducted without violence or manipulation.

He said“In the coming days, Ekiti and Osun States will hold elections. I urge INEC, security agencies, and all parties to ensure these polls are peaceful and credible. Democracy fails when citizens doubt the process.

“I urge INEC, security agencies, and all parties to ensure these polls are peaceful and credible. Democracy fails when citizens doubt the process,” the President said.

Tinubu stressed that trust in the electoral system remains central to sustaining Nigeria’s democracy, noting that disputes must continue to be resolved through legal and institutional channels rather than violence.

He also appealed to Nigerians to maintain confidence in the democratic system, saying the country’s progress since 1999 must be protected and strengthened.

According to him, the Ekiti and Osun elections represent not only local contests but also a broader reflection of Nigeria’s commitment to free, fair and credible elections.

The President reaffirmed that democracy remains the foundation of national unity and urged continued support for institutions responsible for safeguarding the electoral process.