President Bola Tinubu on Friday urged security agencies and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), to guarantee a peaceful, transparent vote in Osun State’s governorship contest.
The President in a statement by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy Bayo Onanuga described the off-cycle election as a test of Nigeria’s readiness for the 2027 national polls.
He said “The election must be transparent, free and fair.”
The President asked the commission to “ensure orderly conduct” as voters in the southwest state prepare to go to the polls on Saturday to choose a governor from a field of 15 candidates.
Among the leading contenders are incumbent Governor Ademola Adeleke, the All Progressives Congress nominee Asiwaju Munirudeen Bola Oyebamiji, and African Democratic Congress candidate Hon. Najeem Salaam.
President Tinubu said he had directed the Inspector-General of Police and other security chiefs to provide “maximum security at polling units,” warning that there should be “no room” for troublemakers.
He called on security forces to protect electoral officials and voters so citizens could perform their civic duties “without fear or intimidation.”
The President also appealed directly to residents of Osun to turn out and “eschew any act that could disrupt the peaceful conduct of the election,” adding that authorities had put in place measures to safeguard voters before and after the polls.
“INEC must use this last off-cycle election as a test case to demonstrate to Nigerians their full preparedness for the 2027 polls,” he said, urging that the result “reflect the will of the people.”
