The Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Joash Amupitan (SAN), has appealed for peaceful conduct ahead of the August 15, 2026 Osun State Governorship Election, while the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, urged the electoral body to remain impartial and deliver a free, fair, and credible poll.
Leading a delegation of National Commissioners, Directors, and senior INEC officials to the Ooni’s Palace in Ile-Ife, Prof. Amupitan said the visit was part of the Commission’s stakeholder engagement aimed at strengthening public confidence in the electoral process. He described Osun as a state with a strong democratic culture and expressed optimism that the election would serve as a successful rehearsal for the 2027 General Election.
The INEC chairman urged traditional rulers to use their influence to promote peace, discourage political violence, and encourage citizens to reject misinformation capable of disrupting the electoral process. He also assured residents that the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) would be deployed to ensure transparent voter accreditation and that every valid vote would count. He further announced that a mock accreditation exercise would be held on August 1 as part of preparations for the election.
In his response, the Ooni of Ife commended INEC for the visit and called on the Commission to uphold the principles of fairness, justice, and professionalism despite the political tension in the state. The monarch urged eligible voters to participate peacefully in the election and pledged the continued support of traditional institutions in promoting peaceful and credible elections across Osun State.
Daily times
