Peter Obi Urges Peaceful Osun Governorship Election

Peter Obi, presidential candidate of the Nigeria — African Democratic Congress (NDC), issued a public statement urging the Nigeria — Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), security agencies, political parties, and other stakeholders to ensure a peaceful, transparent, and credible governorship election in Nigeria — Osun State, scheduled for August 15, 2026. Obi emphasized that the people of Osun must be allowed to vote freely without intimidation, and that their votes must be counted transparently and results announced according to the genuine will of the electorate. He called on security agencies to remain loyal to Nigeria and the Constitution, and on INEC to safeguard the credibility of the election from accreditation through declaration. Obi also appealed to residents to reject violence and to external actors not to import violence into the state. He urged international observers and diplomatic missions to monitor the election closely. The statement comes amid concerns over electoral violence, with at least 73 election-related violent incidents recorded in Osun between October 2025 and July 2026, according to The ICIR. INEC has also expressed concern over vote buying. The election features incumbent Governor Ademola Adeleke seeking re-election, Bola Oyebamiji of the Nigeria — All Progressives Congress (APC), and Francis Olugbenga Ajala of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), among others.