President urges protection of voters, electoral officials as over 25,000 security personnel deploy for Saturday’s poll.
President Bola 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.
President Tinubu made the call in a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, urging INEC to uphold the integrity of the electoral process and conduct the election in a free and fair manner.
He also directed the Inspector-General of Police and other security chiefs deployed for the election to provide adequate protection at polling units and prevent troublemakers from disrupting the process.
The President urged security agencies to protect voters and electoral officials so they can perform their civic duties without fear or intimidation.
He also asked INEC to use the Osun election as a test of its preparedness for the 2027 general elections, stressing that the outcome must reflect the will of the people.
President Tinubu urged Osun residents to come out peacefully and vote for candidates of their choice, assuring them that necessary security measures had been put in place for the poll.
More than 25,000 security personnel have been deployed across the state, while INEC says preparations for the election are on course.
Fifteen candidates are on the ballot as voters across Osun State’s 30 local government areas prepare to elect a governor for the next four years.