The Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC) has urged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and security agencies to guarantee a free, fair and credible Osun governorship election as political tensions rise ahead of Saturday’s poll.
IPAC National Chairman, Yusuf Dantalle, made the call in Abuja on Monday after the council’s General Assembly meeting, warning political parties, candidates and their supporters against actions capable of undermining peace in the state.
The appeal comes five days before the election scheduled for August 15, 2026, with 14 political parties cleared to participate in the contest.
Dantalle said the election should be a contest based on ideas, policies and programmes rather than intimidation, violence or manipulation.
“We urge all political actors to lower the temperature of political rhetoric and refrain from statements, threats, actions or counter-actions capable of aggravating tension or threatening the peace and stability of the State,” he said.
He charged INEC to maintain the highest level of professionalism, independence, transparency and impartiality throughout the electoral process.
According to him, the commission must ensure that all political parties and candidates are treated equally, complaints are addressed within its legal powers and the integrity of the election is protected against manipulation.
Dantalle also listed transparent accreditation and voting, timely delivery of election materials and accurate collation of results among the key responsibilities of the electoral commission.
The IPAC chairman urged security agencies deployed for the election to operate strictly within their constitutional and statutory mandates.
He said security personnel must protect voters, candidates, party agents, electoral officials and election materials without discrimination.
“Security personnel must protect voters, candidates, party agents, electoral officials and election materials without discrimination. They must not become instruments for suppressing legitimate political activities or intimidating voters,” Dantalle said.
He also condemned vote buying, electoral violence and the alleged use of government institutions to intimidate political opponents, insisting that public institutions must remain neutral during the electoral process.
Dantalle separately criticised the freezing of Osun State Government accounts by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, describing the action as politically motivated and capable of undermining the state administration.
He argued that financial investigations could be conducted without denying millions of residents access to public funds required for salaries and essential services.
The warning comes as INEC finalises preparations for a closely contested race. The commission has cleared 14 political parties for the August 15 election, although the Peoples Democratic Party and Labour Party are not fielding candidates.
The leading contenders include incumbent Governor Ademola Adeleke of the Accord Party, All Progressives Congress candidate Bola Oyebamiji and African Democratic Congress candidate Najeem Salaam.
With more than two million voters expected to participate, the election will place significant responsibility on INEC, security agencies, political parties and election observers to maintain confidence in the process.
Dantalle appealed to candidates and their supporters to embrace peaceful competition and resolve grievances through lawful channels.
He also urged residents to protect their Permanent Voter Cards and participate peacefully, stressing that the credibility of the election would ultimately be measured by whether the outcome reflects the choice of the electorate.
“Let the votes of the people count. Let the votes be counted accurately. Let the results reflect the votes. Let the will of the people prevail,” he said.
