Traditional rulers, security chiefs, and electoral stakeholders have emphasized the need for peace, tolerance, and credible conduct ahead of the Osun State Governorship Election scheduled for August 15, 2026.
The call was made at the Osun Election Peace and Security Summit 2026 held at Arora Hall, Ring Road, Osogbo. The summit was organized by Kimpact Development Initiative, KDI, a democracy, development and civic tech Non-Governmental Organization working to strengthen democratic development and good governance in Nigeria and across Africa.
Representing the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adekunle Adebowale, the Agbolu of Ageaje, Ile-Ife, conveyed the Ooni’s goodwill message to Governor Ademola Jackson Nurudeen Adeleke, other traditional rulers, and all participants. He stressed that politicians, their supporters, and the electorate should ensure that the election is conducted peacefully, without violence or any form of disruption.
In his address, Oba Adedokun Omoniyi Abolarin, Aroyinkeye I, the Orangun of Oke-Ila, urged politicians and their supporters to avoid inflammatory campaigns and all forms of violence capable of causing bloodshed. He described the killing of innocent people for political reasons as unacceptable and inconsistent with the values of a progressive society.
The monarch reminded participants of Nigeria’s painful history of violent conflicts and appealed to the people of Osun State to learn from the past. “The forthcoming governorship election should not become a source of crisis or destruction but should instead provide an opportunity for citizens to freely and peacefully elect their leaders,” he said.
Heads of security agencies, including the Deputy Inspector General of Police Operations, DIG Umar Nadada, who represented the Inspector General of Police, reaffirmed the commitment of security agencies to protecting lives and property before, during, and after the election.
Nadada warned that decisive action would be taken against vote buyers, sellers and troublemakers. He urged traditional and religious leaders as well as the media to engage responsibly and progressively, and charged the people to maintain peace and calm before, during and after the election.
The Independent National Electoral Commission also assured stakeholders of a credible poll. Prof. Kunle Ajayi, representing the Chairman of INEC, Prof. Joash Amupitan, said the election would be free, fair, inclusive, and conclusive.
“Conclusivity is a key component of any election. INEC does not vote. It only conducts and announces the results of an election,” Ajayi stated. He assured that the people’s decision would be reflected provided they participate largely in the election.
Ajayi called on traditional rulers, religious leaders and the media to mobilize the people, especially the youths who form the majority of registered voters, to come out en masse to exercise their constitutional right. He noted that over 2 million voters were confirmed registered and assured that security was fully guaranteed. He also urged the youths to refrain from using election day to play football.
INEC National Commissioner, Mr. Kunle Ajayi, further assured that the Commission would remain neutral throughout the process. “The Commission does not belong to or favour any political party. All registered political parties and candidates would be treated equally in line with the Electoral Act and the Commission’s guidelines,” he said.
He added that INEC would declare only the candidate who lawfully secures the highest number of valid votes as the winner after the completion of collation.
Osun State Resident Electoral Commissioner, Mrs. Oluwatoyin O. Babalola, said the Commission was ready to deliver a free, fair, credible, inclusive and transparent election. She disclosed that the voter register was presented to political parties on July 9, ahead of the July 22 deadline, and that 30,639 duplicate registrations were corrected. She also confirmed that 8,201 persons with disabilities were duly registered.
“Necessary materials have been deployed and are already on ground and sensitive materials will be deployed adequately as and when due. This time voters will not wait for INEC staff and materials but will meet them at the polling centers,” Babalola said. She added that stakeholders had been engaged, security was prepped and staff training concluded, and she urged political actors to shun violence and inflammatory comments.
Development partners also lent their voice. Dr. Mathew Ayibakuro, Governance Adviser representing the UK Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office, FCDO, commended KDI, INEC and all stakeholders for the summit. He said peaceful elections form the foundation of robust and positive governance and urged inclusivity, insisting that persons with disabilities must be given the opportunity to vote without intimidation or inducement.
KDI Team Lead, Bukola Idowu, presented key findings from a Pre-Election Security Risk Assessment. He revealed that in the last 12 months, Osun witnessed 56 election-related violent incidents with 14 fatalities. He noted that exactly four years ago, on July 13, political stakeholders gathered in the same Osogbo to sign an electoral peace accord. Idowu offered key recommendations to support coordinated prevention and response efforts.
The summit concluded with a collective appeal to politicians, supporters, and all residents of Osun State to uphold peace, tolerance, and mutual respect before, during, and after the election to ensure the 2026 governorship poll is peaceful, credible, and conducted in accordance with the law.
Present at the event were the AAC Governorship candidate, Comrade Olatunji Esan and his Deputy, BOOTS Party Governorship Candidate, ADC Spokesperson Nureni Adebisi, and APC Deputy Governorship Candidate Kayode Adereti, all of whom committed to peace before, during and after elections.
Religious leaders including representatives of the Christian Association of Nigeria, the Chief Imam of Osun State, Dr. Oluseyi Atanda of Traditional Worshippers, and Chief Yemi Elebubon, the Araba of Traditional Worship in Osun State, also called on the people to respect and maintain peace.
The purpose of the summit, according to organizers, was to foster collaboration among electoral stakeholders, INEC, security agencies, traditional institutions, religious leaders, the media, and the electorate for a shared commitment to a peaceful election process in Osun State.
