By David Akinadewo-Adekahunsi
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has charged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and security agencies to ensure a peaceful, transparent and credible governorship election in Osun State on Saturday, while the Imole Campaign Council has urged security personnel to strictly comply with the directive and remain neutral.
Tinubu, in a statement issued on Friday by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, urged INEC to uphold the integrity of the electoral process and ensure that the outcome reflects the will of the people.
The President said the election, in which 15 candidates are expected to contest for the governorship, should provide an opportunity for the electoral commission to demonstrate its preparedness for the 2027 general elections.
“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 appealed to eligible voters to turn out in large numbers to exercise their civic responsibility peacefully and avoid any act capable of disrupting the electoral process.
The President specifically directed the Inspector-General of Police and heads of other security agencies participating in the election to provide maximum security at polling units and prevent troublemakers from disrupting the exercise.
“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,” he said.
Tinubu assured residents that adequate security arrangements had been put in place to guarantee their safety before, during and after the election.
“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,” he declared.
Reacting to the President’s statement, the Imole Campaign Council, which is backing the re-election bid of Governor Ademola Adeleke, welcomed the directive but called for strict enforcement, particularly by the police.
In a statement signed by its spokesman, Pelumi Olajengbesi, the council said the President’s directive to the Inspector-General of Police, Tunji Disu, and other security chiefs to protect voters and ensure maximum security at polling units should be taken seriously.
The campaign council also urged the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, to ensure that the presidential directive was implemented.
The council alleged that the police had not demonstrated sufficient professional neutrality in the state in recent months, and urged officers deployed for Saturday’s election to discharge their duties impartially.
“The Imole Campaign Council calls on the police to obey the presidential order and discharge their duties dispassionately on Saturday. We also call on the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, to enforce this directive,” the statement said.
It added that voters must be protected, polling units secured and anyone attempting to disrupt the election arrested regardless of political affiliation.
“Ultimately, votes must count. This is the beauty of democracy. Intimidation of any kind must have no place in our electoral space,” the council said.
The campaign council also endorsed the President’s call for INEC to conduct a transparent, free and fair election, stressing the need for the electoral process to reflect the will of Osun voters.
It urged residents to come out and vote for Adeleke, whom it described as a governor who had demonstrated capacity and empathy during his first term.
The council’s reaction came against the backdrop of heightened political and security concerns in the state ahead of Saturday’s poll.
The police have separately announced extensive security arrangements, including aerial surveillance and the deployment of personnel across polling units and other strategic locations.
