Osun Poll: INEC, Ooni Raise Concern Over Rising Political Tension, Call for Peace Ahead of Governorship Election

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the Ooni of Ife, Oba Enitan Ogunwusi, have expressed concern over rising political tension in Osun State ahead of the August 15, 2026 governorship election, urging political actors to shun violence and allow the electorate to decide freely at the polls.

The appeals came on Tuesday during a courtesy visit by the INEC Chairman, Prof. Joash Amupitan, to the Ooni’s palace in Ile-Ife, marking the commencement of the commission’s five-day readiness assessment tour ahead of the election.

Addressing the monarch and traditional rulers, Amupitan described the Osun governorship poll as a crucial off-cycle election that would serve as a major test of the commission’s preparedness for the 2027 general elections.

He formally announced that the Osun governorship election would hold on August 15, 2026, while the 2027 general election is scheduled for January 16, 2027, with governorship and state assembly elections in other states fixed for February 6, 2027.

The INEC chairman appealed to traditional rulers to use their influence to promote peace and discourage politicians and their supporters from violence.

“The blood of one innocent person is not worth a governorship election. Nobody should be killed, threatened or embarrassed because of an election,” Amupitan said.

He disclosed that Osun has 2,339,233 registered voters, spread across 3,763 polling units, 332 registration areas, and 30 local government areas, describing the exercise as one of the commission’s biggest electoral assignments before the nationwide polls.

Amupitan assured residents that the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) would be deployed for voter accreditation, stressing that only accredited voters would have their votes counted.

He also warned against vote-buying, misinformation and disinformation, cautioning that advances in artificial intelligence could be exploited to circulate fake election results capable of inciting unrest.

“It is possible today that artificial intelligence can be used to falsely show me announcing results that never existed. We urge Nigerians to verify information and reject fake news capable of creating violence,” he said.

The INEC chairman said one of his priorities since assuming office was rebuilding public confidence in the electoral process by conducting elections that are free, fair, transparent and credible.

Responding, the Ooni of Ife commended Amupitan’s leadership but expressed deep concern over the current political atmosphere in Osun State.

According to the monarch, traditional rulers had spent several hours deliberating on the worsening political tension before the INEC chairman’s arrival.

“There is tension in Osun State right now. The political tension is becoming unbearable for us. We do not want violence. We want elections that are free, fair and just,” the Ooni said.

He urged INEC to remain impartial throughout the electoral process, saying the commission had a responsibility to reduce tension and inspire public confidence.

The monarch also stated that President Bola Tinubu had provided the electoral commission with the independence and resources needed to carry out its constitutional mandate without interference.

“We believe in you. All eyes are on you. Let the people freely decide who they want. Do not allow anybody to interfere with the process,” he told the INEC chairman.

The Ooni described the Osun governorship election as a critical exercise whose outcome would shape public confidence ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Amupitan’s visit to the palace is the beginning of a series of engagements with political parties, security agencies, traditional institutions and other stakeholders aimed at ensuring a peaceful and credible governorship election in the state.