You may recall the governorship election in Osun State has been slated for August 15, 2026. In preparation for the poll, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), led by Resident Electoral Commissioner Oluwatoyin Babalola, recently met with heads of security agencies, religious leaders, electoral officials, and the media.
Babalola revealed that INEC's risk assessment across the 30 local governments in Osun identified 385 flashpoints in the state, which have been shared with security agencies. The commission also identified 200 difficult terrains that will be hard to access. In her address, Babalola acknowledged that the commission has received about 75 percent of the materials it will need for the election.
Field officers working for INEC will be out to gather ground truths to aid risk assessment across the local government areas. Babalola emphasized that if the election is not peaceful, even with the best plans in place, it would be an exercise in futility. She appealed to security agencies to intensify efforts, expressing her belief that they can still do more to assure residents of a peaceful atmosphere.
The commissioner appealed to all security agencies in the state to intensify efforts, expressing the belief that they can still do more to further assure the residents that the governorship election will be conducted in a peaceful atmosphere. According to Babalola, INEC is committed to conducting free, fair, credible, inclusive, and transparent elections.
The governorship election this year will feature incumbent Governor Ademola Adeleke, who is seeking re-election on the platform of the Accord party. Other major contenders include Bola Oyebamiji of the All Progressives Congress and Dr Najeem Salaam of the African Democratic Congress, who is being supported by former Osun State governor Rauf Aregbesola.
The election will take place on August 15, 2026, and the commission has been working hard to provide a level playing field for all participants. The Osun State governorship election is one to watch this year, and all eyes will be on INEC as it works to deliver free and fair elections.
The meeting, convened by the Deputy Inspector General of Police in charge of South West, Adegoke Fayoade, was attended by security agencies, electoral officials, and the media. The Commissioner of Police, Ibrahim Gotan, was also in attendance.
Babalola, speaking on INEC’s preparation for the poll, said details of the risk assessment exercise done by the commission across the 30 local government areas in the state had been shared with the heads of all security agencies in the state. The REC further said that she visited Ila and Ifedayo local government areas, where there were cases of kidnapping, adding that she got assurances from the security agencies that there would be peace before and after the election.
The REC further said that she has visited 29 out of the 30 local government areas in the state. Speaking on the availability of the materials for the poll, Babalola said the commission had received about 75 percent of what it would need for the election.
For example, non-statutory materials have been deployed to their appropriate locations. According to Babalola, for the election to be successful, it is crucial that all parties work together.
The Osun State governorship election is one to watch as the incumbent governor seeks re-election. Other major contenders include Bola Oyebamiji of the All Progressives Congress and Dr Najeem Salaam of the African Democratic Congress.
The meeting aimed at ensuring that the poll is conducted peacefully. Osun State voters will go to the polls on August 15 to elect a governor. A lot is at stake for the incumbent governor, and he is expected to face stiff competition from other candidates.