Osun Governorship:Ooni Tasks INEC On Credible Election, Condemns Rising Political Tension

The Permanent Chairman of the Southern Nigerian Traditional Rulers Council (SNTRC), Arole Oodua Olofin Adimula and the Natural Head of the Oduduwa race worldwide, the Ooni of Ife, Ooni Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, CFR, Ojaja II, has condemned the rising political tension in Osun State ahead of the August 15, 2026 governorship election.

In a statement by the Director of Media and Public Affairs, Ooni’s Palace, Otunba Moses Olafare, said the foremost African monarch made the appeal on Tuesday evening at the ancient Ooni’s Palace in Ile-Ife while receiving the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Professor Joash Amupitan, who led a delegation of the commission on a courtesy visit to seek the support and blessings of the traditional institution ahead of the off-cycle governorship election.

The INEC delegation was received by the Ooni alongside prominent monarchs from the Osun State Council of Obas, who gathered at the palace for the engagement.

The Ooni urged political stakeholders to embrace peace and allow the electorate to determine the state’s next governor through a free, fair and credible electoral process.

Addressing the INEC Chairman, the Ooni said the prevailing political atmosphere in the state had become increasingly worrisome, stressing that traditional rulers, as custodians of peace and unity, could not remain silent while tensions continued to escalate.

“There is political tension in Osun State and, truth be told, the tension is becoming unbearable for us. As traditional rulers, we must remain above politics because Osun State is bigger than any politician. We occupy the thrones of our forefathers and our responsibility is to speak the truth at all times, irrespective of political affiliations,” the Ooni said.

He emphasised that the traditional institution owed a duty to engage political leaders constructively and remind them that governance should be centred on justice, fairness and the welfare of the people rather than partisan interests.

According to the Ooni, politicians may change alliances based on personal or political interests, but the traditional institution remains permanently committed to protecting the peace, stability and unity of the state.

“Politics is about interests. Those who are opponents today may become allies tomorrow, but the people remain. We do not want political interests to divide our communities or threaten the peace of Osun State. Let the people come out freely to vote and decide who they want to govern them,” he stated.

The revered monarch called on INEC to discharge its constitutional responsibilities with absolute neutrality, transparency and professionalism, noting that the electoral umpire holds the key to reducing the current political anxiety across the state.

“You are the umpire. Be very just, upright and transparent in the conduct of this election. We want the election to be free, fair and credible. You have the responsibility to douse the growing tension and inspire confidence among all political stakeholders,” he said.

The Ooni further commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for what he described as efforts to strengthen Nigeria’s electoral process and for creating an enabling environment for INEC to operate independently.

“We appreciate President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for empowering INEC to function independently and for providing the commission with the support needed to carry out its constitutional mandate. We believe the commission should justify that confidence by ensuring justice, fairness and credibility throughout the electoral process,” he added.

While appealing to political parties, candidates and their supporters to avoid inflammatory rhetoric capable of provoking violence, the monarch warned against allowing political competition to degenerate into hostility.

He stressed that no election should be allowed to destroy relationships or permanently divide communities, reminding politicians that they would continue to coexist long after the polls.

“The traditional institution will continue to promote peace across Osun State. We will continue to encourage politicians to embrace peaceful campaigns because elections should never become a source of bloodshed, destruction or division,” he said.

The Ooni also urged citizens to participate peacefully in the electoral process without fear or intimidation, insisting that the wishes of the electorate must ultimately prevail.

Earlier, INEC Chairman, Professor Joash Amupitan, said the visit to the Ooni’s Palace was both a cultural obligation and an institutional engagement aimed at securing the support of the traditional institution for a peaceful governorship election.

Describing Ile-Ife as the ancestral home of the Yoruba race and the Ooni as the foremost custodian of Yoruba culture and tradition, Amupitan said the commission recognised the influential role of traditional rulers in promoting peace and public confidence during elections.

“We have come to pay homage to Your Imperial Majesty and seek your royal blessings. Osun occupies a unique place in Nigeria because its people are politically conscious. This election is significant, not only for Osun State, but also as a major test ahead of the 2027 general elections,” he said.

The INEC chairman assured the royal fathers that the commission remained committed to delivering a free, fair, transparent and credible governorship election, adding that technology, including the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS), would be fully deployed to safeguard the integrity of the process.

He disclosed that rebuilding public confidence in INEC remained a major priority of his administration, stressing that such confidence could only be earned through transparent elections that genuinely reflect the will of the people.

Amupitan also appealed to the traditional rulers to intensify efforts at promoting peaceful coexistence by prevailing on political actors and their supporters to reject violence and embrace issue-based campaigns.

He expressed concern over the prevailing security situation in the state and urged political parties to refrain from actions capable of threatening public peace.

The INEC chairman further cautioned against vote-buying and other electoral malpractices, encouraging eligible voters to reject inducements and exercise their civic responsibility freely.

He assured residents that adequate electoral materials would be deployed across the state ahead of the election, while urging political parties and members of the public to rely only on official information from INEC and avoid spreading unverified claims capable of heightening political tension.