Osun 2026: Tinubu urges peaceful election, directs security agencies to protect voters

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.

The election is scheduled to hold on Saturday, August 15, 2026, with 15 candidates contesting the governorship seat.

Among the candidates are the incumbent governor, Ademola Adeleke of the Peoples Democratic Party; the All Progressives Congress candidate, Munirudeen Bola Oyebamiji; and the African Democratic Congress candidate, Najeem Salaam.

In a statement issued on Friday by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, Tinubu urged INEC to ensure the integrity of the electoral process.

“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.

Tinubu said the Osun election should serve as a test of INEC’s preparedness 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.