“No Room For Trouble Makers!” — Tinubu Charges Security Agencies Ahead Of Osun Poll

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has charged security agencies to provide maximum security during Saturday’s governorship election in Osun State, warning that troublemakers must not be allowed to disrupt the electoral process.

Tinubu also urged the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, to ensure that the August 15 election is transparent, free and fair, while calling on voters to come out and exercise their civic responsibility without fear or intimidation.

The President gave the charge in a statement by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, on Friday.

The election is being contested by 15 candidates, including the incumbent Governor Ademola Adeleke of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, the All Progressives Congress, APC, candidate, Asiwaju Munirudeen Bola Oyebamiji, and the African Democratic Congress, ADC, candidate, Hon. Najeem Salaam.

“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 election as an opportunity for INEC 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.

Tinubu said he had directed the Inspector-General of Police and other heads of security agencies participating in the election to ensure adequate protection for voters and electoral 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,” he said.

He stressed that electoral officials and voters should be able to perform their duties without fear or intimidation.

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

The President also assured voters that necessary security measures had been put in place to guarantee a peaceful exercise, urging them to vote for candidates of their choice.

“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.

Tinubu further called on the electorate to shun acts capable of undermining the election, stressing that the outcome must reflect the wishes of the people of Osun State.

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