Ahead of the August 15 governorship election in Osun State, the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, Prof. Joash Amupitan, and the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, have raised fresh concerns over rising political tension, urging political parties, candidates and their supporters to embrace peace.
Speaking during a courtesy visit to the Ooni’s palace in Ile-Ife, Amupitan said the Osun governorship poll would serve as a critical barometer for the conduct of the 2027 general election, while expressing the commission’s commitment to restoring public confidence through transparent, credible and technology-driven elections.
The INEC chairman said the commission had resolved to rebuild public trust by ensuring every election is free, fair and credible, noting that the Osun poll would be closely watched nationwide because it precedes the January 16, 2027 general election.
Announcing the election timetable, Amupitan formally confirmed that the Osun governorship election would hold on August 15, 2026, while the presidential and National Assembly elections are scheduled for January 16, 2027, with governorship and state assembly elections in the remaining states fixed for February 6, 2027.
While describing Osun as one of Nigeria’s most politically conscious states, he said the forthcoming governorship election was “the most consequential off-cycle election” because it would provide the commission with an opportunity to assess its operational readiness before the nationwide polls.
The INEC chairman appealed to traditional rulers to use their influence to prevail on politicians to shun violence, insisting that no political ambition was worth the loss of human life.
“Election is successful only when it is peaceful, starts and ends on schedule, and its results are transparently collated and declared. It is not a do-or-die affair,” he said, while urging political actors to focus on issues rather than acrimony.
Amupitan also warned against the growing threat of misinformation, disinformation and artificial intelligence-generated fake content capable of undermining the electoral process, urging citizens to verify information before sharing it.
He further assured voters that the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System, BVAS, would guarantee credible accreditation and ensure that only valid votes count.
According to him, Osun has 2,339,233 registered voters spread across 3,763 polling units and 332 registration areas in the state’s 30 local government areas, making the election one of the largest off-cycle polls in the country.
Responding, the Ooni of Ife, Oba Ogunwusi, said traditional rulers were deeply worried by the escalating political tension in Osun State, warning that the situation had become increasingly disturbing and required urgent intervention.
The monarch urged INEC to remain impartial and uphold the integrity of the electoral process, saying the commission had a historic responsibility to conduct a free, fair and credible election that would strengthen public confidence in Nigeria’s democracy.
He described the Osun governorship election as a watershed moment for the country, noting that its outcome would shape public perception of the 2027 general election.
The Ooni appealed to politicians to place the interests of the people above partisan considerations, stressing that traditional rulers remain neutral custodians of peace and would continue to engage all political actors in the interest of stability.
He also expressed confidence in Amupitan’s leadership, urging him to resist pressure from all quarters and ensure that the will of the electorate prevails at the polls.
“We do not want political tension to continue in Osun. Let the people come out and vote freely. Be a just and fair umpire. Let the people decide who governs them,” the monarch said.
Both leaders agreed that peaceful conduct of the Osun governorship election would not only safeguard lives and property but also reinforce confidence in Nigeria’s democratic institutions ahead of the 2027 general election.
