The spokesperson for the Imole Campaign Council, Mr Pelumi Olajengbesi, has called for a free, fair and credible governorship election in Osun.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Imole Campaign Council is the apex strategic organisation and coordinating think-tank managing the 2026 governorship re-election bid of Osun Governor, Sen. Ademola Adeleke.
Olajengbesi made the call while briefing newsmen in Abuja on Friday after an advocacy visit to the Bishop Matthew Hassan Kukah Centre where he said he presented a petition concerning security in the state ahead of the election.
He appealed to domestic and international stakeholders to closely monitor the election.
According to him, the Osun governorship election will serve as a major test of the credibility of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), the Nigeria Police and other institutions responsible for safeguarding the electoral process.
“The coming election in Osun is important to Nigeria and important to the world.
” It is a major test of the integrity of INEC, the Inspector-General of Police (I-G) and our institutions to determine whether we are prepared to conduct free, fair and credible elections ahead of the 2027 general election,” he said.
Olajengbesi urged the international community, civil society organisations and election observers to pay close attention to the conduct of the poll to ensure that the will of the people prevailed.
He alleged that the Police Command in Osun had become compromised and accused the state’s Commissioner of Police of acting in a partisan manner.
He said that the campaign council had submitted a complaint to the British High Commission over its concerns.
He added that the council had earlier petitioned the I-G alleging insecurity and politically motivated violence in the state.
Olajengbesi who is also a lawyer alleged that people were being killed every day in Osun and he called on the police authorities to remain neutral and guarantee the safety of voters throughout the election period.
He stressed that eligible voters must be allowed to freely elect the candidate of their choice without intimidation or interference.
Also speaking, a representative of the Coalition of Public Interest Lawyers, A.O. Franklin described the forthcoming election as a litmus test for Nigeria’s democratic institutions and electoral stakeholders.
Franklin said government derived its legitimacy from the people and insisted that every eligible voter must be provided with a safe environment to exercise their franchise.
“The forthcoming election in Osun is a litmus test that must assess the credibility and integrity of all stakeholders,” he said.
He urged INEC to remain impartial and called on the I-G to discharge his constitutional responsibilities professionally.
He added that the election would indicate Nigeria’s preparedness for the 2027 general elections and urged the media to continue holding public institutions accountable through objective and fearless reporting.
The advocacy visit to the Kukah centre, according to the campaign council, formed part of the Imole Campaign Council’s engagement with stakeholders ahead of the Aug. 15 governorship election.
The council maintained that the election would be adjudged credible only when it reflected the genuine choice of the people of Osun.
