OSUN 2026: NBA INSISTS ON RULE OF LAW, CREDIBLE POLL

NEWS RELEASE

“No Shortcuts: NBA Insists on Rule of Law for a Free, Fair, Credible and Peaceful Osun Governorship Election”

With the highly anticipated Osun State Governorship Election scheduled for Saturday, August 15, 2026, preparations have reached a critical stage. In a series of high-level stakeholder engagements, the President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Mr. Afam Osigwe, SAN, led a high-powered delegation to secure firm commitments towards the conduct of a free, fair, credible and peaceful election.

The NBA delegation first paid a courtesy visit to Mrs. Oluwatoyin O. Babalola, the historic first female Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Osun State.

Congratulating her on her pioneering appointment, the NBA President urged Mrs. Babalola to remain a worthy ambassador of the legal profession by faithfully discharging her constitutional responsibilities with integrity, impartiality and courage.

In response, the REC assured the delegation that INEC was fully prepared for the election, revealing that extensive training had been conducted for election personnel to minimise human error and ensure the integrity of the electoral process.

Addressing concerns about the security situation, Mrs. Babalola explained that recent disturbances in parts of the state were largely attributable to cult-related clashes rather than politically motivated violence. She also highlighted INEC’s sustained voter education campaigns and engagements with student bodies and other stakeholders to promote peaceful participation in the electoral process. She gave Nigerians further confidence by assuring that “every single vote will count.”

The NBA delegation also visited the Osun State Commissioner of Police, where they met with the Deputy Inspector-General of Police, DIG Mohammed Ishaku, and other senior police officers overseeing election security.

DIG Ishaku assured the delegation that the Nigeria Police Force had put in place comprehensive security arrangements to guarantee a peaceful and credible election. He disclosed that a massive deployment of police personnel had commenced across the state, with additional officers expected to arrive before election day to ensure adequate security coverage.

The stakeholder engagements culminated in a press conference at the NBA Osogbo Bar Centre, where the NBA President addressed the media alongside the Chairmen and Secretaries of all NBA branches in Osun State.

Osigwe called on all institutions and individuals involved in the electoral process—including electoral officials, security agencies, political actors and public office holders — to remain strictly neutral and refrain from deploying their offices, powers or influence in favour of any candidate or political party.

He stressed that the only acceptable outcome of the election must be one that genuinely reflects the freely expressed will of the people of Osun State.

The NBA President also appealed to all political actors to place the interest of the state above partisan considerations, warning that Osun must not be allowed to go up in flames and that no life should be lost in the pursuit of political power. He urged all stakeholders to reject violence, intimidation and electoral malpractice, emphasizing that democracy can only thrive where peace, justice and respect for the rule of law prevail.

Addressing members of the legal profession, he encouraged lawyers serving as election observers to remain steadfast in defending democracy, uphold the truth at all times, and discharge their responsibilities with courage, professionalism and impartiality, while taking every necessary precaution to ensure their personal safety throughout the exercise.

As Osun heads to the polls, the NBA has reaffirmed its commitment to safeguarding the integrity of Nigeria’s democracy and expressed optimism that the election will be conducted in a manner that is peaceful, credible and reflective of the sovereign will of the people.