Osun election, most consequential off-cycle election — INEC chairman

The chairman of Nigeria's Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Professor Joash Amupitan, has described the upcoming Osun election as the most significant off-cycle poll, emphasizing its role as a critical precursor to the 2027 general elections. Amupitan made these remarks during a visit to the palace of the Ooni of Ife, Oba Enitan Ogunwusi, where he sought royal blessings and briefed traditional rulers on the election.

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We are here, our royal fathers, to seek your royal blessings and tap into your fatherly wisdom. This election is the most consequential off-cycle election in Nigeria because after this election, we move straight into the general election.

Professor Amupitan highlighted INEC's commitment to ensuring a credible and peaceful election, particularly by deploying the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS). He assured voters that the BVAS technology would prevent issues like ballot paper theft and ensure that only accredited voters' ballots are counted. "BVAS is our game-changer," Amupitan stated, underscoring its importance in safeguarding the electoral process.

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BVAS is our game-changer. All those issues of ballot paper stealing won’t affect the poll. If you are not accredited by BVAS, that vote will not be counted. So I am assuring Osun electorates that their votes will count.

Despite assurances of technological safeguards, INEC has expressed concerns regarding the security situation in Osun State. Professor Amupitan urged traditional leaders to use their influence to encourage political actors to maintain peace throughout the election period. He stressed that a successful election is defined by peace, timely commencement and conclusion, and transparent collation of results, asserting that "the blood of innocent people is not worth the governorship election."

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The blood of innocent people is not worth the governorship election. By God’s grace, we will all be happy with what will happen on August 15.

Responding to the INEC chairman, the Ooni of Ife, Oba Ogunwusi, acknowledged the palpable political tension in the state, describing it as "unbearable and really worrisome." Speaking on behalf of the traditional rulers, Oba Ogunwusi appealed to politicians to prioritize peace and fairness, reminding them that "Osun State is bigger than all of those politicians." He urged traditional rulers to remain impartial and guide politicians toward truth and responsible conduct, emphasizing their role in dousing the rising political temperature.

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There is tension in Osun State right now. The political tension is so much and it is becoming unbearable and really worrisome. We do not want to rock the boat. We want elections to come very freely and very fairly and very justly.