The Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Joash Amupitan, has vowed that the commission will do everything possible to ensure a violence-free governorship election in Osun State on August 15, 2026, declaring that “the blood of any Osun citizen is not worth shedding” for political office.

Prof. Amupitan stated this on Friday during a courtesy visit to the Ataoja of Osogbo, HRM Oba Jimoh Olanipekun Oyetunji, at his palace.

“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,” he said.

The INEC chairman said the commission has engaged the police, the Minister of Defence, the Chief of Defence Staff, and the Service Chiefs for special security deployment to the state.

He also warned against the spread of fake videos aimed at discouraging voters from coming out to vote and urged citizens to disregard misinformation.

He noted 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.”

Prof. Amupitan added that a mock accreditation exercise will hold on Saturday in selected local governments across the three senatorial districts, including Osogbo in Osun Central, to test INEC equipment ahead of the poll.

“As an institution, we are committed to ensuring that this is achieved. And the good people of Osun State will have the opportunity to decide who governs them,” he said.

He also announced that the 2027 general elections will commence with the presidential and National Assembly elections on January 16, 2027, making the Osun governorship election the last major off-cycle poll before then.

In his response, the Ataoja of Osogbo charged INEC to deliver an election that reflects the will of the people of Osun State.

“I want you to ensure a free and fair election on August 15, so that it is only the will of the people of Osun State that will prevail. That way, all the people of Osun State will be happy and accept the outcome of the poll,” Oba Oyetunji said.

The Asiwaju of Osogbo, Hon. Justice Moshood Adeigbe, also commended INEC and the security agencies for working to ensure peace and urged residents of the state capital to conduct themselves peacefully during the election.

Prof. Amupitan said over 2.3 million voters are registered in Osun State and that the collection of Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) has been extended.

Among those in his entourage were INEC National Commissioners Prof. Kunle Ajayi, Dr. Baba Gbila, Dr. Kenneth Okeagu, Dr. Sani Adams (SAN), Sunday Ajah, Malami Tukur Yusuf, and Rear Admiral Jamila Malafa.

The Osun Resident Electoral Commissioner, Barr. Oluwatoyin Babalola, was also present.

The palace pledged to continue sensitising residents on the need for peaceful conduct during the election. (Nigerian Tribune)