Developing: Adeleke’s Campaign Team Petitions British High Commission, IGP Over Osun Governorship Poll
The Imole Campaign Council, the political mobilisation team of Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke, has called for a free, fair and credible governorship election in the state, urging the Federal Government, security agencies and the international community to ensure that the August 15 poll reflects the will of the people.
The council disclosed on Friday that it had petitioned the British High Commission over the political situation in Osun State and also written to the Inspector General of Police over alleged security concerns, insisting that the election would serve as a major test of Nigeria’s democratic institutions ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Addressing journalists in Abuja, the spokesperson for the Imole Campaign Council, Pelumi Olajengbesi, said the credibility of the Osun governorship election would have far-reaching implications for Nigeria’s electoral process.
According to him, the council’s petition to the British High Commission was aimed at drawing international attention to developments in the state ahead of the poll.
Olajengbesi said, “The election coming up on August 15 is important not only to the people of Osun State but also to Nigeria’s democracy. It will test the integrity of INEC, the Inspector General of Police and other institutions ahead of the 2027 general elections.”
He urged the international community, election observers and the Federal Government to ensure that eligible voters in Osun are allowed to freely choose their preferred candidate without intimidation or interference.
The campaign spokesman further disclosed that the council had engaged the Coalition of Public Interest Lawyers as part of efforts to promote transparency, accountability and credible conduct during the governorship election.
He also alleged that the council had earlier petitioned the Inspector General of Police over security concerns in the state, claiming that recent incidents of violence required urgent attention from law enforcement agencies.
“Our goal is to ensure that INEC, the Nigeria Police Force and other security agencies discharge their responsibilities impartially so that the election will be free, fair and credible,” he said.
Also speaking, a representative of the Coalition of Public Interest Lawyers, Olufemi Franklin, described the Osun governorship election as a litmus test for the credibility of Nigeria’s democratic institutions.
Franklin urged the Independent National Electoral Commission, the police and other stakeholders to remain impartial and provide a secure environment that would enable voters to exercise their franchise without fear.
The Osun governorship election is scheduled for August 15, 2026, with political parties intensifying campaigns ahead of the poll. The off-cycle election is widely seen as a key test of the preparedness of the Independent National Electoral Commission and security agencies before the 2027 general elections.