Reported by: Oahimire Omone Precious | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
President Bola Tinubu has called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), security agencies and all political parties to ensure that the forthcoming governorship elections in Ekiti and Osun States are conducted peacefully, transparently and in a manner that preserves public confidence in Nigeria’s democratic process. The President made the appeal on Friday, June 12, 2026, during his Democracy Day broadcast to the nation, which marked 27 years of unbroken civilian rule since May 29, 1999.
Tinubu reminded Nigerians that democracy survives only when citizens trust the electoral process, and he urged all actors to avoid actions that could undermine the credibility of the polls. “In the coming days, Ekiti and Osun States will hold elections,” the President said. “I urge INEC, security agencies, and all parties to ensure these polls are peaceful and credible. Democracy fails when citizens doubt the process.” According to the INEC timetable, the Ekiti governorship election is scheduled for Saturday, June 20, 2026, while Osun voters will go to the polls on Saturday, August 15, 2026. In total, thirteen political parties have fielded candidates in Ekiti, but analysts agree that the main contenders are incumbent Governor Biodun Oyebanji (APC), Dr. Wole Oluyede (PDP) and Ambassador Dare Bejide (ADC). Governor Oyebanji is seeking a second term, banking on the power of incumbency, ongoing infrastructure projects and the backing of major APC stakeholders, including former governor Ayodele Fayose, who has publicly endorsed him. Fayose’s decision has drawn sharp criticism from the PDP candidate. “I respect Fayose, but he has made the wrong choice,” Oluyede said during a media parley in Ikere‑Ekiti. “The people will decide this election – not endorsements or political declarations. Ekiti people are intelligent and will assess the performance of those seeking their mandate.” He further argued that the incumbent has fallen short in critical areas, particularly security and public service delivery.
In Osun State, the race is shaping into a high‑stakes duel between Governor Ademola Adeleke of the Accord Party and the APC candidate, Asiwaju Munirudeen Bola Oyebamiji, popularly known as “AMBO”. The APC has vehemently dismissed rumours that President Tinubu has endorsed Governor Adeleke for a second term. “The President’s support is solely for the APC candidate, Asiwaju Munirudeen Bola Oyebamiji,” the Director‑General of the APC Campaign Council in Osun, Wole Oke, told journalists. He described claims linking Tinubu to Adeleke as “false and misleading”. The APC candidate has promised to entrench inclusive governance, while the deputy governorship candidate, Kayode Adereti, appealed for peaceful conduct before, during and after the poll, stressing that “elections are not wars”. Meanwhile, the Accord Party has welcomed a wave of defections from the opposition APC, with the Imole Campaign Council describing the exits as evidence of “a deepening crisis of confidence” within the ruling party’s ranks. Political observers caution, however, that the impact of defections on the eventual outcome remains uncertain.
Both polls are seen as major tests for INEC and Nigeria’s security apparatus ahead of the 2027 general elections. The electoral commission has already trained key personnel and tightened security measures to curb vote‑buying and other malpractices, with voter registration suspended in the two states to allow final preparations.
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