The Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Joash Amupitan, has appealed to traditional rulers, particularly the Ooni of Ife, for support in ensuring a peaceful, credible, and violence-free governorship election in Osun State on August 15, 2026.
Amupitan made the call on Tuesday during a courtesy visit to Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi at his palace in Ile-Ife.
He was accompanied by all 12 National Commissioners of INEC, representing the six geopolitical zones.
The INEC boss formally notified the monarch of the election date and sought royal prayers and blessings, describing the Osun poll as “the most consequential off-cycle election in Nigeria” and a litmus test for the 2027 general elections.
“The blood of Nigerians is not worth the ambition of any politician,” Amupitan emphasised, urging traditional rulers to appeal to politicians and parties to conduct issue-based campaigns free of rancour and violence.
He also warned against the spread of misinformation and disinformation, which could trigger unrest, and reiterated INEC’s commitment to restoring public confidence through credible, free, fair, and transparent elections.
In his response, the Ooni of Ife acknowledged rising political tensions in the state, describing them as “unbearable.”
He assured the INEC team that traditional rulers remain above partisan politics and will continue to advocate for fairness, justice, and peace.
The monarch urged INEC to remain impartial, allow voters to freely choose their leaders, and commended President Bola Tinubu for efforts to strengthen the commission’s independence.
Prof. Amupitan also used the occasion to announce the timetable for the 2027 general elections: Presidential and National Assembly polls on January 16, 2027, and governorship and State House of Assembly elections on February 6, 2027.
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