President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has charged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and security agencies to ensure that the Osun State governorship election scheduled for Saturday is conducted in a free, fair, credible and peaceful manner.
Bayo Onanuga, the presidential spokesperson, said this in a statement in Abuja on Friday.
The people of Osun are expected to elect a governor from among the 15 candidates contesting the election.
The candidates include the incumbent Governor Ademola Adeleke of the Accord Party, the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate, Bola Oyebamiji, and the African Democratic Congress (ADC) candidate, Najeem Salaam.
The President stressed that nothing should undermine the right of the people of Osun State to freely choose their preferred candidate, noting that the outcome of the election must reflect the genuine will of the voters.
Tinubu also urged INEC to carry out its responsibilities with professionalism, transparency and integrity, while calling on security agencies deployed for the election to protect voters, electoral officials, polling units and election materials.
He warned those planning to cause trouble to desist from any action capable of disrupting the electoral process or throwing the state into crisis.
The President further appealed to all political parties, candidates and their supporters to demonstrate maturity, respect the rules and maintain peace before, during and after the election.
He said a peaceful and credible election would strengthen public confidence in Nigeria’s democratic process, particularly as the country moves closer to the 2027 general elections.
Tinubu emphasised that the will of the people must remain supreme and that of the final result should be a true reflection of the votes cast by by the people of Osun State.
-9News Nigeria.
