Osun Election: Every lawful vote must be properly recorded - Tinubu tells INEC

President Bola Tinubu has called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to guarantee the accurate recording of every lawful vote cast in the Osun State governorship election. He stressed that elections are fundamentally about ideas and service, not violence, and that no Nigerian should lose their life in the process.

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I have directed the Inspector-General of Police and the heads of all security agencies deployed for the election to ensure the safety of voters, electoral officials and election materials.

In a statement released Friday, Tinubu directed the Inspector-General of Police and heads of other security agencies deployed for the election to ensure the safety of voters, electoral officials, and materials. He emphasized that citizens must be able to exercise their constitutional right to vote without fear, intimidation, or violence, and that any attempt to disrupt the process or undermine peace in Osun State would not be tolerated.

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Every citizen must be able to exercise his or her right to vote without fear, intimidation or violence. There must be no room for anyone seeking to disrupt the process or undermine the peace of Osun State.

"Every vote must count. Every lawful vote must be properly recorded," Tinubu insisted, urging INEC to conduct the election with the highest standards of professionalism and integrity. He highlighted the significance of the Osun election as a crucial opportunity for INEC to showcase its readiness for the 2027 general elections and to bolster public confidence in Nigeria's electoral system.

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I urge the Independent National Electoral Commission to conduct the election with the highest standards of professionalism and integrity. Every vote must count. Every lawful vote must be properly recorded.

Appealing to the residents of Osun State, the President encouraged them to participate peacefully and vote for their preferred candidates, while respecting the choices of others. "Elections are contests of ideas and service, and should never cost the life of any Nigerian," he reiterated, underscoring the Federal Government's commitment to supporting a peaceful electoral process.

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With the 2027 general elections ahead, this final off-cycle governorship election is another opportunity for INEC to demonstrate its preparedness and strengthen public confidence in our electoral process.