President Bola Tinubu has called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and security agencies to ensure a peaceful, transparent and credible governorship election in Osun State on Saturday.

Mr Tinubu also urged eligible voters to come out and exercise their civic responsibility, assuring them of adequate security before, during and after the election.

Bayo Onanuga, the presidential spokesperson, said this in a statement in Abuja on Friday.

The people of Osun are expected to elect a governor from among the 15 candidates contesting the election.

The candidates include the incumbent Governor Ademola Adeleke of the Accord Party, the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate, Bola Oyebamiji, and the African Democratic Congress (ADC) candidate, Najeem Salaam.

The president stressed the need for INEC to conduct a free, fair, and transparent election that reflects the people’s will.

“As the people of Osun State head to the polling units to elect who will govern them in the next four years, I call on the Independent National Electoral Commission to ensure orderly conduct of the election.

“The election must be transparent, free and fair. I urge INEC to ensure the integrity of the process,” he said.

According to him, the election offers INEC an opportunity to demonstrate its readiness for the 2027 general elections.

“INEC must use this last off-cycle election as a test case to demonstrate to Nigerians their full preparedness for the 2027 polls,” he stated.

The president said he had directed security agencies to provide maximum protection for voters, electoral officials and election materials.

“I have charged the Inspector-General of Police and other heads of security outfits taking part in the election to provide maximum security at polling units.

“No room should be allowed for troublemakers to disrupt the process. Electoral officials and voters must be protected so they can perform their civic duties without fear or intimidation,” he said.

Mr Tinubu enjoined voters to participate peacefully and vote for candidates of their choice.

“Voters should feel confident to go out in their numbers to vote for the candidate of their choice as all measures necessary to ensure a peaceful, free and fair election have been put in place.

“Our elections must be credible, and the outcome of the Osun governorship election must reflect the will of the people,” the president added.

(NAN)