Abuja-based lawyer, Mr. Pelumi Olajengbesi, has described the upcoming Osun State governorship election as a major test of the credibility of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and Nigeria’s security agencies ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Speaking at a press conference in Abuja on Friday, Olajengbesi said the August 15 Osun governorship election would serve as a key indicator of Nigeria’s readiness to conduct free, fair and credible elections in 2027.
According to him, he has already petitioned members of the international community, including the British High Commission, urging them to closely monitor pre-election activities in Osun State.
He alleged that the leadership of the Osun State Police Command was acting in a partisan manner.
“We have written to the British High Commission that the police in Osun are completely compromised, that the Commissioner of Police in Osun is being partisan and is working for a political party,” Olajengbesi said.
He stressed that voters in Osun should be allowed to freely choose their preferred candidate without intimidation or interference.
“This election is a litmus test of the integrity of INEC, a major test of the integrity of the Inspector General of Police, and beyond that, it is a major test of the integrity of our institutions to know if we are able to conduct a free, fair and credible election in the forthcoming 2027 general elections,” he added.
Olajengbesi said the Coalition of Public Interest Lawyers has been monitoring political developments in the state and expressed concern over the rising cases of election-related violence allegedly carried out by political thugs.
He urged election observers and security agencies to remain vigilant throughout the electoral process.
The lawyer also recalled that he had earlier submitted a petition to the Inspector General of Police, Tunji Disu, raising concerns about political violence ahead of the election.
According to him, the reported incidents have resulted in loss of lives, injuries, destruction of property and widespread fear among residents, posing a serious threat to the credibility of the governorship poll.
Olajengbesi accused the Osun State Police Command of failing to respond adequately to repeated reports of violence and called for the immediate redeployment of the state’s Commissioner of Police.
He also demanded a thorough investigation into all reported cases of political violence, as well as the arrest and prosecution of anyone found to have participated in, sponsored or financed such acts, regardless of political affiliation.
In addition, he called for the deployment of more police personnel to identified flashpoints across Osun State and a comprehensive review of the state’s security arrangements before the election.
