RismadarVoice Reporters
August 1, 2026
The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, says the August 15 governorship election in Osun State will be decided by the ballot and not by violence, as it intensifies preparations for the poll.
INEC Chairman, Professor Joash Amupitan, SAN, gave the assurance during a visit to the palace of the Ataoja of Osogbo, Oba Jimoh Olanipekun Oyetunji, where he sought the support of traditional institutions in ensuring a peaceful, credible and widely accepted election.
Professor Amupitan said the visit was part of the Commission’s efforts to engage critical stakeholders and mobilise citizens for peaceful participation in the off-cycle governorship election.
He disclosed that additional security personnel would be deployed to prevent electoral violence, while a mock accreditation exercise would be conducted in selected polling units across the state’s three senatorial districts to test the Commission’s technology and operational readiness ahead of the election.
The INEC Chairman also warned against misinformation and disinformation capable of discouraging voter participation, assuring residents that adequate measures had been put in place to protect election officials, voters and electoral materials.
Responding on behalf of the palace, Hon. Justice Kayode Adebiyigbe commended INEC for its commitment to providing a level playing field for all candidates and appealed to residents to maintain peace despite the ongoing Osun-Osogbo Festival.
He also pledged the support and prayers of the traditional institution for a peaceful and credible election.
As part of the assessment tour, Professor Amupitan inspected the ongoing training of Supervisory Presiding Officers, urging them to strictly comply with the Electoral Act, INEC guidelines and operational procedures.
He cautioned election officials against compromising the integrity of the process, stressing that they must resist undue influence from politicians and ensure the timely delivery of election materials.
The INEC Chairman also visited the Commission’s office in Obokun Local Government Area to assess its readiness before meeting with leaders of the National Union of Road Transport Workers, NURTW, on election logistics.
Professor Amupitan described the Osun governorship election as an important test of the Commission’s preparedness ahead of the 2027 general elections, reiterating that “ballot boxes, not bullets, will determine the future of Osun State.”
