Reported by: Oahimire Omone Precious | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has intensified its preparations for the August 15 governorship election in Osun State, with the Chairman of the Commission, Professor Joash Amupitan, delivering a firm assurance that the outcome of the poll will be determined by the ballot box and not by violence or intimidation. Amupitan gave the assurance on Friday, July 31, 2026, during a courtesy visit to the palace of the Ataoja of Osogbo, Oba Jimoh Olanipekun Oyetunji, Larooye II, where he sought the support of traditional institutions in promoting peaceful participation in the election and stressed that no citizen's blood was worth shedding for political office. Describing the Osun election as a critical test of the Commission's preparedness for the 2027 general elections, he declared that the decision on who becomes the next governor must emerge through the free will of the people expressed at the polls.
"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," Amupitan told the monarch and his palace entourage. He warned that the blood of any Osun citizen was not worth shedding for the purpose of an election, stating emphatically: "We don't want violence. And the blood of every Osun citizen is not worth shedding just for the purpose of an election to the office of governor. So, we are very concerned as a commission. It is important to us that nobody will die because of an election in Osun".
Amupitan revealed that the Commission had concluded its readiness assessment across the state's 30 local government areas and was fully prepared to conduct a credible election in line with the provisions of the Electoral Act 2026. He acknowledged that political tension in the state was high, but assured that INEC was working closely with security agencies to guarantee peace. "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," he said.
The INEC Chairman disclosed that 2,339,233 registered voters are eligible to participate in the election across 3,763 polling units, with 14 political parties fielding candidates. He also announced that the Commission had extended the collection of Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) to Friday, July 31, 2026, to accommodate voters yet to collect their cards. According to Amupitan, 322,822 newly registered voters, representing about 60 per cent, had collected their cards as of Tuesday, prompting the extension. He added that 4,427 Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) devices, including backup units, had been configured for the election, and a mock accreditation exercise would hold on Saturday, August 1, across selected local government areas.
Amupitan also disclosed that INEC had activated an Electoral Risk Management framework and identified several flashpoints, including Atakunmosa East and West, Boripe, Ede North and South, Ife Central, Ifedayo, Ila, and Ifelodun, for enhanced security deployment. He confirmed recent attacks on INEC offices in Odo Otin and Ife Centre, during which batches of uncollected PVCs were stolen, but assured that the stolen cards would be replaced with downloadable and printable PVCs. "For the PVCs that have been snatched, it will not be useful for those that snatched them. We are introducing downloadable, printable PVCs for those whose PVCs were stolen so that they will not be disenfranchised," he stated.
Amupitan used the visit to urge traditional rulers to call politicians to order and intervene to douse the escalating political tension in the state. "You are the custodian of our heritage, and your voices count a lot. Invite the principal actors and talk to them, and let them know that we are one and an election should not divide us. Please intervene for the overall good of everyone," he told the monarch. He emphasised that the peace accord signed by all governorship candidates in Osogbo on Thursday was to ensure that "the decision on who becomes the governor of this state will not be decided by the barrel of a gun. It will be decided by the will of the people of Osun State".
Responding on behalf of the palace, the Ataoja of Osogbo, Oba Jimoh Oyetunji, commended INEC for its efforts to provide a level playing field for all candidates and urged the Commission to deliver an election that reflects the will of the people of Osun State. "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," the monarch told Amupitan. He also appealed to residents to maintain peace during the election period despite the ongoing Osun-Osogbo Festival, noting that it was important for the people to accept the outcome of the poll. The Asiwaju of Osogbo, Hon. Justice Kayode Adebiyigbe, also commended INEC and the security agencies for their efforts and urged residents of the state capital to conduct themselves peacefully during the election.
The visit to the Ataoja's palace was part of a broader tour of traditional institutions by the INEC Chairman, who had earlier paid a courtesy call on the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, to brief the monarch on the Commission's preparations and seek royal blessings. Amupitan described the Osun election as the most consequential off-cycle poll in Nigeria's electoral calendar, noting that it would serve as a mirror for the conduct of the 2027 general elections. He stressed that the election would only be successful if it was peaceful, logistics were right, voting started and ended on time, and results were announced promptly and transparently.
As the August 15 election draws closer, the Commission has stepped up its engagement with stakeholders, including traditional rulers, security agencies, and political parties, to ensure a credible and violence-free process. The visit to the Ataoja's palace and the assurances given by the INEC Chairman underscore the importance of traditional institutions in promoting peace and stability during elections. With over 2.3 million registered voters and 14 political parties in the race, the Osun governorship election is poised to be a critical test of Nigeria's electoral system and a dress rehearsal for the 2027 general elections. For the people of Osun State, the message from INEC is clear: the power to choose their next governor lies in their hands, and no amount of violence or intimidation will subvert that will.
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