President Bola Tinubu has charged the Independent National Electoral Commission and security agencies to ensure a peaceful, transparent and credible governorship election in Osun State.

Tinubu made the call in a statement issued on Friday by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, ahead of Saturday’s poll.

The President urged INEC to uphold the integrity of the electoral process and ensure that voters are allowed to freely choose their preferred candidate.

“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.

Tinubu also urged the electoral commission to use the Osun 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,” the President added.

The President also charged the Inspector-General of Police, Tunji Disu, and other security chiefs deployed for the election to provide adequate security at polling units and prevent attempts to disrupt 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,” Tinubu said.

He stressed the need to protect voters and electoral officials, urging residents to participate in the election without fear or intimidation.

“Electoral officials and voters must be protected so they can perform their civic duties without fear or intimidation. 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 said.

Tinubu further urged voters to exercise their civic responsibility peacefully and avoid actions capable of undermining the conduct of the election.

More than 25,000 security personnel have been deployed across the state for the poll, while INEC has said preparations are on course.

With 15 candidates on the ballot, the election is expected to be keenly contested as voters across the state’s 30 local government areas elect a governor for the next four years.

As attention shifts to Osun State ahead of Saturday’s governorship election, the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Oyo State has urged voters to support its candidate, Asiwaju Munirudeen Bola Oyebamiji, saying the state needs a change of leadership.

The Independent National Electoral Commission has fixed August 15, 2026, for the Osun governorship election. The contest is expected to be closely fought, with incumbent Governor Ademola Adeleke of the Accord Party seeking a second term and Oyebamiji flying the APC flag.

In a statement issued at the weekend and made available to journalists in Ibadan by its Publicity Secretary, Olawale Sadare, the Oyo APC said the need for quality leadership, effective representation and equitable distribution of resources informed its call for a change of government in the state.

The party alleged that Osun had suffered from poor leadership, nepotism and uneven development under the present administration.

“Regrettably, Osun and Oyo states fell into the wrong hands in 2022 and 2023 respectively, and the sad results of this development are evident in the key sectors of both states today,” the statement said.

The party further alleged that political and social divisions had deepened in Osun, while appointments and infrastructure were not being distributed fairly across communities.

It also criticised the relationship between the two states and other states in the South-West, attributing what it described as political differences to the situation.

The APC, however, said the forthcoming election provided Osun voters with an opportunity to change the direction of the state by electing Oyebamiji, whom it described as competent, intelligent and capable of uniting the people.

“Fortunately enough, the good people of Osun State have been offered another opportunity to get it right by electing a competent, intelligent and unifier as their new governor.

“Dr Bola Oyebamiji of the APC is the ideal man for the job and he will not disappoint if elected, as he is prepared to deliver on his electoral promises,” the party said.

The Oyo APC also urged voters to reject violence and what it described as brigandage, promising that an APC administration would prioritise peace, accountability and accelerated development in the state.

The statement came as the major contenders intensified their campaigns ahead of Saturday’s poll, with Oyebamiji, Adeleke and the African Democratic Congress candidate, Najeem Salam, among the leading contenders in the race.