By Myke Uzendu, Osogbo
The Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Joash Amupitan (SAN), and the Ataoja of Osogbo, Oba Jimoh Olanipekun Oyetunji, on Friday called for a peaceful, free and credible governorship election in Osun State, stressing that no life should be lost in the pursuit of political power.
The appeal came during a courtesy visit by the INEC chairman and his delegation to the Ataoja’s palace in Osogbo ahead of the August 15 governorship election.
Speaking during the visit, Prof. Amupitan assured the monarch and traditional rulers that the commission, in collaboration with security agencies, had put adequate measures in place to ensure a violence-free election.
“We don’t want violence. The blood of any Osun citizen is not worth shedding just for the purpose of electing a governor. We are very concerned as a commission, and it is important to us that nobody dies because of an election in Osun,” he said.
The INEC chairman disclosed that the commission had engaged the Nigeria Police Force, the Minister of Defence, the Chief of Defence Staff and other Service Chiefs to ensure adequate security deployment across the state before, during and after the election.
He also warned against the spread of fake videos and misinformation aimed at discouraging voter participation, urging residents to disregard false narratives and come out peacefully to exercise their civic rights.
Prof. Amupitan said the peace accord recently signed by all governorship candidates and political parties was intended to ensure that the outcome of the election would be determined solely by the votes of the people.
“The decision on who becomes the governor of Osun State will not be decided by the barrel of the gun. It will be decided by the will of the people of Osun State,” he stated.
He further announced that a mock accreditation exercise would be conducted in selected local government areas across the state’s three senatorial districts, including Osogbo, to test the commission’s technology and logistics ahead of the poll.
According to him, the Osun governorship election would serve as the last major off-cycle election before the commencement of the 2027 general elections, which will begin with the presidential and National Assembly polls on January 16, 2027.
Responding, the Ataoja of Osogbo charged INEC to conduct an election that truly reflects the wishes of the electorate.
“I want you to ensure a free and fair election on August 15 so that it is only the will of the citizens of Osun State that will prevail. That way, the people of the state will be happy and accept the outcome of the poll,” the monarch said.
Oba Oyetunji emphasized the critical role of traditional institutions in promoting peace and appealed to politicians and their supporters to place the state’s stability above partisan interests.
Earlier, the Asiwaju of Osogbo, Justice Moshood Adeigbe, described the visit as timely, given the political atmosphere in the state.
He commended INEC for engaging traditional rulers as part of its pre-election consultations and urged residents to conduct themselves peacefully throughout the electoral process.
Justice Adeigbe also praised security agencies for their efforts to curb election-related violence and expressed confidence that the election would be peaceful and credible.
The INEC chairman was accompanied by National Commissioners, including Prof. Kunle Ajayi, Dr. Baba Gbila, Dr. Kenneth Okeagwu, Dr. Sani Adams (SAN), Sunday Ajah, Malami Tukur Yusuf and Rear Admiral Jamila Malafa (Rtd.), as well as the Osun State Resident Electoral Commissioner, Barrister Oluwatoyin Babalola.
