The Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Professor Joash Amupitan (SAN), has described the forthcoming Osun State governorship election as Nigeria’s most consequential off-cycle poll, saying it will serve as a major test ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Amupitan made the remark on Wednesday during a visit to the palace of the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, where he was accompanied by INEC National Commissioners and the Osun State Resident Electoral Commissioner, Oluwatoyin Babalola, to officially brief the monarch on preparations for the election and seek the support of traditional rulers.
The INEC chairman expressed concern over the security situation in the state and appealed to traditional rulers to use their influence to encourage political actors to embrace peace before, during and after the election.
“We are here, our royal fathers, to seek your royal blessings and tap into your fatherly wisdom. This election is the most consequential off-cycle election in Nigeria because after this election, we move straight into the general election,” Amupitan said.
He assured voters that the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) would be fully deployed to guarantee credible elections and ensure that only accredited votes are counted.
“BVAS is our game-changer. All those issues of ballot paper stealing won’t affect the poll. If you are not accredited by BVAS, that vote will not be counted. So I am assuring Osun electorates that their votes will count,” he stated.
Amupitan added that INEC’s goal is to conduct a peaceful, transparent and credible election.
“As far as we are concerned, an election is successful if it is peaceful, if it starts on time and ends on time and if the result is collated transparently. The blood of innocent people is not worth the governorship election. By God’s grace, we will all be happy with what will happen on August 15,” he said.
Responding on behalf of the traditional rulers, the Ooni of Ife, Oba Ogunwusi, expressed concern over the growing political tension in Osun State, warning that the situation had become disturbing ahead of the governorship election.
“There is tension in Osun State right now. The political tension is so much and it is becoming unbearable and really worrisome. We do not want to rock the boat. We want elections to come very freely and very fairly and very justly,” the monarch said.
The Ooni urged politicians to put the interest of Osun State above personal ambitions, stressing that peace must remain the priority.
“We should live above politics because Osun State is bigger than all of those politicians. Osun State is bigger than us,” he added.
Commending Professor Amupitan for his integrity, the monarch appealed to INEC to remain neutral and ensure a free and fair election.
“You are the umpire to douse the tension. You are the umpire to bring it down and make sure everything is right,” he said.
Other traditional rulers present at the meeting included the Orangun of Ila, Oba Abdulwahab Adedotun; Timi of Ede, Oba Adesola Lawal; Akire of Ikire, Oba Tajudeen Olanrewaju; Ogiyan of Ejigbo, Oba Omowonuola Oyeyode; Aragbiji of Iragbiji, Oba Abdur-Rasheed Ayotunde Olabomi; Olowu of Kuta, Oba Adekunle Makama Oyelude; and the Orangun of Oke Ila, Oba Adedokun Abolarin.
