INEC Must Use Osun Guber To Prove Readiness For 2027 Elections – Tinubu

President Bola Tinubu has called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to use the Osun governorship election as an opportunity to show Nigerians that it is ready for the 2027 general elections.

Tinubu made the call in a statement issued on Friday by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga.

The president urged INEC to ensure that Saturday’s election is conducted in a transparent, peaceful and credible manner, with the integrity of the voting process protected.

“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,” Tinubu said.

He described the Osun poll as the final off-cycle governorship election before the 2027 general elections, stressing that INEC should treat it as an important test of its ability to conduct credible 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 said.

The president also directed security agencies involved in the election to provide adequate protection for voters and election officials.

“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,” the president said.

Tinubu said voters and electoral officials should be able to carry out their responsibilities without threats, violence or intimidation.

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

He also encouraged eligible voters across Osun State to come out and vote for the candidates of their choice, assuring them that security arrangements had been made for the election.

“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,” he said.

The president stressed that the credibility of the election would depend on whether the final result accurately represented the decision of the people.

“Our elections must be credible, and the outcome of the Osun Governorship election must reflect the will of the people,” he added.

The Osun governorship race features Ademola Adeleke of the Accord Party, Munirudeen Bola Oyebamiji of the All Progressives Congress (APC), and Najeem Salaam of the African Democratic Congress (ADC).

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