Among the prominent contenders are incumbent Governor Ademola Adeleke of the Accord Party (A), the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate, Munirudeen Bola Oyebamiji, and Najeem Salaam of the African Democratic Congress (ADC).

Tinubu, in a statement issued on Friday by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, said INEC must protect the integrity of the electoral process and ensure that voters are able to make their choices freely.

The President said, “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.”

Tinubu said the off-cycle governorship election should provide the electoral commission with an opportunity to demonstrate its preparedness 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 added.

The President said confidence in the electoral process would depend largely on the conduct of officials and the transparency of the exercise.

Tinubu Orders Maximum Security

Tinubu also directed the Inspector-General of Police and heads of other security agencies deployed for the election to provide adequate protection at polling units and other strategic locations.

He said, “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.”

The President said voters and electoral officials must be protected from intimidation or violence throughout the exercise.

“Electoral officials and voters must be protected so they can perform their civic duties without fear or intimidation,” he added.

Tinubu encouraged eligible voters to participate in the election 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,” he said.

He also warned against actions capable of disrupting the electoral process.

The President said the credibility of the election would ultimately be measured by whether the final result reflected the wishes of Osun voters.

“Our elections must be credible, and the outcome of the Osun Governorship election must reflect the will of the people,” Tinubu declared.

He urged all stakeholders to support efforts aimed at ensuring a peaceful and credible election across the state.

A heavy presence of security personnel was observed at the INEC premises as authorities made final arrangements for the deployment of personnel and materials across the 30 local government areas of the state.

Journalists and other election stakeholders were also at the commission’s office as preparations for the poll entered the final stage.

According to Channels Television, personnel of the Nigeria Police Force and other security agencies were seen in large numbers at the INEC premises.

The security personnel are expected to be deployed to different parts of the state to provide security before, during and after the election.

Civil society organisations, journalists and election observers were also among those at the commission’s office to monitor the final preparations.

The Resident Electoral Commissioner in Osun State, Oluwatoyin Babalola, was also said to be meeting with National Commissioners and supporting Resident Electoral Commissioners from other states as part of efforts to ensure a smooth conduct of the election.

News reports that the election will take place in 3,763 polling units spread across 332 wards in the 30 local government areas of Osun State.

The exercise is expected to attract voters from across the state, with major political parties intensifying their mobilisation ahead of the poll.

INEC has repeatedly assured stakeholders that adequate preparations have been made for the election and urged voters to exercise their franchise peacefully.

Meanwhile, INEC disclosed that 1,906,390 Permanent Voter Cards had been collected by registered voters ahead of the election.

The figure represents 81.50 per cent of the 2,339,233 registered voters in the state.

The commission’s National Commissioner and Chairman of the Information and Voter Education Committee, Mohammed Haruna, disclosed this in a statement on Thursday.

He said the remaining 426,842 PVCs, representing 18.50 per cent of registered voters, had been kept safely with the Central Bank of Nigeria.

The commission said, “Out of the total of 2,339,233 registered voters in the State, 1,906,390 PVCs, representing 81.50 per cent, have been collected. The remaining 426,842 PVCs, representing 18.50 per cent, have been safely deposited with the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), in line with the Commission’s established practice.”

INEC also explained that some registered voters whose PVCs were damaged, defaced or lost had applied for replacement cards.

According to the commission, 6,101 applicants printed downloadable copies of their PVCs.

“Similarly, it should be noted that some persons with damaged, defaced, or lost PVCs applied for replacement of their cards. A total of 6,101 among those who applied printed downloadable copies of their PVCs,” INEC stated.