Osun governor will emerge through free, fair election – INEC chair

The Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Professor Joash Amupitan, has assured the people of Osun State that the upcoming August 15 governorship election will be decided by their votes, not by violence. He made this commitment during a courtesy visit to the Ataoja of Osogbo, Oba Jimoh Oyetunji.

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The decision of who becomes the governor should not be decided by bullet but by the will of the people through their votes. We are committed to ensuring that this is achieved, and the good people of Osun State will make the decision.

Professor Amupitan emphasized that the election serves as a crucial test for the nation's readiness for the 2027 general elections. He stressed INEC's dedication to ensuring a credible and peaceful exercise, stating, "The decision of who becomes the governor should not be decided by bullet but by the will of the people through their votes."

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Right from Abuja, we are working with the police, the Minister of Defence, the Chief of Defence Staff, and service chiefs to ensure special deployment for Osun State so that the election will be peaceful. We don’t want violence.

Acknowledging the heightened political tension in the state, Amupitan revealed that INEC is actively collaborating with security agencies, including the police, the Minister of Defence, and service chiefs, to ensure adequate security measures and special deployments for Osun State. The goal is to prevent violence and guarantee a peaceful electoral process. Oba Oyetunji, in response, urged INEC to uphold the integrity of the electoral process and ensure a free, fair, and credible election.

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I appreciate you and your team for this visit. You have been doing well, and I want to urge you to please ensure a fair, free and credible election.