Political parties participating in the August 15 gubernatorial poll in Osun State have stepped up their campaigns as preparations enter the final phase.

Accord Party, the All Progressives Congress (APC), and other parties cleared for the poll have entered the last leg of their campaigns.

This comes as tension heightens across the state following the recent invasion and arrest of some government officials sympathetic to the sitting governor, Ademola Adeleke, who is seeking re-election under the Accord Party.

On Tuesday, Daily Trust reported that the leadership of the main opposition party, the APC, inaugurated its campaign committee for the poll in Osun, with Imo State Governor Hope Uzodimma and other notable federal government officials as members.

During the inauguration, the National Chairman of the party, Professor Nentawe Yilwatda, said it was a must for the party to win the election, charging members of the campaign committee to do everything possible to secure victory.

The incumbent governor, who is seeking re-election, has also been campaigning around the state, expressing confidence that he will emerge victorious at the poll.

With the campaign now entering its final week, all eyes are shifting to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to ensure the process is free, fair, and acceptable.

Why INEC must resist pressure, live above board — Experts

The President of the Nigerian Society of International Affairs (NSIA), Prof. Hassan Saliu, said the Osun governorship election is shaping up to be one of the most politically sensitive contests in recent times, with several underlying factors likely to shape both the campaigns and the eventual outcome.

According to him, the election is largely being viewed as a continuation of the political rivalry between Governor Ademola Adeleke and former Governor Gboyega Oyetola, despite the APC presenting a different governorship candidate.

He noted that issues such as zoning considerations, religious sentiments, internal party grievances, and the perceived political significance of Osun to the ruling party have combined to heighten political tension in the state.

Saliu, who is the immediate past National President of the Nigerian Political Science Association (NPSA), noted that the high stakes make it imperative for the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to conduct the election in a transparent and impartial manner.

“There will certainly be pressure on INEC because of the political importance attached to the election. The Commission must rise above every form of influence, remain faithful to the law, and ensure that every contestant is treated fairly. Only a credible process can produce an outcome that enjoys public confidence,” he said.

He also observed that while the contest appears closely balanced, the eventual outcome would largely depend on how the electoral process is managed and accepted by the electorate.

Also speaking, a lecturer of Politics and Governance at Kwara State University, Malete, Dr. Seyid Hassan Cisse, stressed that INEC’s constitutional independence places a greater responsibility on the Commission to safeguard the credibility of the election.

He said the political atmosphere in Osun remains tense because of the competing interests surrounding the poll, insisting that the electoral umpire must resist every form of pressure and allow the democratic process to take its course.

“The independence attached to INEC requires it to remain neutral. My appeal is that the Commission should allow the will of the people to prevail. Let democracy triumph, let every eligible voter exercise his or her franchise freely, and let every valid vote count,” he said.

Dr. Cisse warned that any election perceived as failing to reflect the genuine wishes of the electorate could have consequences beyond the immediate political contest.

“If the will of the people does not prevail, we will be writing a chapter of history whose consequences may be borne by future generations. Electoral integrity is not only about today but also about preserving confidence in our democracy,” he stated.

Cisse appealed to residents of Osun State to remain peaceful before, during, and after the election, urging aggrieved parties to seek lawful means of resolving disputes.

He expressed confidence that the conduct of the election would remain under close national scrutiny, urging INEC to seize the opportunity to strengthen public trust by delivering a free, fair, and credible poll.

Osun poll is a critical test — INEC

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has described the election as a critical test for the commission ahead of the 2027 general election, saying every necessary arrangement is being put in place to ensure a credible, peaceful, and transparent exercise.

INEC Chairman, Prof. Joash Amupitan, made this known during a courtesy visit to the Ooni of Ife, Oba Enitan Ogunwusi, at the commencement of his five-day readiness assessment tour of the state ahead of the poll.

He said 2,339,233 registered voters will participate in the August 15 governorship election in the state.

According to him, the registered voters are spread across 3,763 polling units in 332 registration areas covering the state’s 30 local government areas.

“The Osun governorship election is a very important election because of its proximity to the 2027 general election. We are determined to ensure that the process is free, fair, and credible,” he said.

The INEC chairman said the commission would deploy the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) for voter accreditation, stressing that only accredited voters would be allowed to cast their ballots.

He also reassured stakeholders that the commission remained committed to conducting an election that reflected the wishes of the electorate.

Responding, the Ooni of Ife, Oba Enitan Ogunwusi, expressed concern over the growing political tension in the state.

The monarch urged the electoral umpire to remain impartial and ensure that the election was free, fair, and acceptable to all stakeholders. (Daily Trust)