President Bola Tinubu has urged security agencies to protect voters and electoral officials as Osun State goes to the polls on Saturday.
The President made the call on Friday, August 14, 2026, ahead of the governorship election scheduled for Saturday, August 15.
The President also directed the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to guarantee a transparent process, while asking voters to participate peacefully in the governorship election.
“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,” Tinubu said.
He urged INEC to use the election as an opportunity to demonstrate its 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.
The President said he had directed the Inspector-General of Police and other security chiefs involved in the exercise to maintain maximum security at polling units and prevent disruptions.
“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,” he said.
Tinubu also called for the protection of voters and electoral officials, urging citizens to cast their ballots without fear or intimidation.
“Electoral officials and voters must be protected so they can perform their civic duties without fear or intimidation,” the President said.
He further assured residents that measures had been put in place to support a peaceful exercise, urging them to vote for candidates of their choice.
“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,” he said.
The Osun governorship poll will feature 15 candidates, including the incumbent, Governor Ademola Adeleke; the All Progressives Congress candidate, Asiwaju Munirudeen Bola Oyebamiji; and the African Democratic Congress candidate, Hon. Najeem Salaam.
Tinubu said the final result must reflect the choice of the electorate.
“Our elections must be credible, and the outcome of the Osun Governorship election must reflect the will of the people,” the President declared.