*Charges Security Agencies To Protect Voters, INEC Officials

*Police Restrict Movement, Reiterate Ban On Amotekun, Others

VOTING opened in the Osun State governorship election on Saturday, August 15, with voters trooping out as early as 8am in some places. 

    About 2.3 million registered voters will choose who to govern the ‘State of the Living Spring’ for the next four years among the 15 candidates.

     Party agents at some polling units insisted that the Presiding Officers (Pos) count all the ballot papers before voting commences to avoid malpractices, but the Pos said doing so will delay the start of the process.

    In some parts of the state, voting queued ahead of casting their votes.

    Meanwhile, President Bola Tinubu has charged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the security agencies to ensure a peaceful and transparent election in today’s Osun State governorship election. 

    Tinubu also urged the electorate to come out to discharge their civic responsibility and eschew any act capable of disrupting the peaceful conduct of the exercise, assuring the people of their safety during and after the polls. 

    The President said: “As the people of Osun State head to the polling units to elect who will govern them in the next four years, I call on the Independent National Electoral Commission to ensure orderly conduct of the election. 

    “The election must be transparent, free and fair. I urge INEC to ensure the integrity of the process. 

    “INEC must use this last off-cycle election as a test case to demonstrate to Nigerians their full preparedness for the 2027 polls,” he added. 

    “I have charged the Inspector General of Police and other heads of security outfits taking part in the election to provide maximum security at polling units. No room should be allowed for troublemakers to disrupt the process. 

    “Electoral officials and voters must be protected so they can perform their civic duties without fear or intimidation.”  

     Ahead of the poll, the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) reiterated its ban on the participation of the Amotekun Corps and other non-state security groups in security operations for the election.

    NPF announced a restriction on movement across the state from midnight on Friday, August 14, to 6p.m. on Saturday, August 15, as part of measures to ensure a peaceful and orderly election.

    The Force spokesman, Anietie Iniedu, said in a statement on Friday, that only security agencies recognised and established under the Constitution and laws of the Federal Republic of Nigeria were authorised to perform security and law-enforcement duties in connection with the election.

    The statement warned that no non-state security group, vigilante organisation or other unauthorised body would be permitted to assume or exercise the functions of a recognised security agency.

    It added: “Accordingly, such groups are directed to stay away from election-related security operations and refrain from any activity capable of intimidating voters, disrupting the electoral process or undermining public peace and security.”

    The Force urged the public to comply fully with the movement restriction and cooperate with security personnel deployed across the state, explaining that only persons and categories of movement specifically exempted by the appropriate authorities would be allowed during the restriction period.

    The Force advised political parties, candidates, supporters and other stakeholders to conduct themselves peacefully and responsibly, cautioning against actions capable of triggering violence or disrupting the electoral process.

    NPF reaffirmed its commitment to maintaining peace and security, as well as ensuring a level playing field for all political actors and eligible voters throughout the election, urging residents to remain calm and law-abiding, and to promptly report suspicious or unlawful activities to constitutionally and legally recognised security agencies.