President Bola Tinubu has assured voters in Osun State of their safety ahead of Saturday’s governorship election, urging them to turn out in large numbers and freely choose their preferred candidate.
The President also charged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and security agencies to ensure a peaceful, transparent and credible electoral process.
In a statement issued on X by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, Tinubu said all necessary measures had been put in place to guarantee a free and fair election and protect voters and electoral officials.
“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,” the President said.
Calling for a credible process, Tinubu urged INEC to uphold the integrity of the 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,” he said.
The President said the Osun governorship election provides an opportunity for the electoral umpire to demonstrate its readiness for future national 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.
Tinubu also directed the Inspector-General of Police and other security chiefs involved in the election to provide maximum security and prevent any disruption of the process.
“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.
He stressed the need to protect both voters and electoral officials from intimidation and violence.
“Electoral officials and voters must be protected so they can perform their civic duties without fear or intimidation,” the President stated.
Tinubu further appealed to residents of the state to conduct themselves peacefully and avoid actions capable of undermining the election.
“Voters should feel confident to go out in their numbers to vote for the candidate of their choice,” he said, reiterating his confidence in the security arrangements for the poll.
The President emphasized that the credibility of the election remains paramount and that the outcome must reflect the wishes of the electorate.
“Our elections must be credible, and the outcome of the Osun Governorship election must reflect the will of the people,” Tinubu declared.
A total of 15 candidates are contesting the election, including incumbent Governor Ademola Adeleke, the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate, Asiwaju Munirudeen Bola Oyebamiji, and the African Democratic Congress (ADC) candidate, Najeem Salaam.