The Imole Campaign Council (TICC), the campaign organisation of Osun state Governor Ademola Adeleke, has called on the United Kingdom(UN), international observer missions and civil society organisations to closely monitor the August 15 governorship election in the state, describing the poll as a crucial test of Nigeria’s democratic institutions ahead of the 2027 general election.
TICC Spokesperson, Pelumi Olajengbesi made the call while briefing journalists in Abuja on Friday after submitting a petition to the British High Commission, alleged that the Nigeria Police Force in Osun State had become compromised and urged the international community to ensure the election is conducted in a free, fair and credible manner.
Olajengbesi said the Osun governorship election is not only significant to the people of the state but also to Nigeria’s democratic credentials.
He said the campaign council had submitted what he described as a second petition to the British High Commission to express concerns over the conduct of security agencies in the state, particularly the police.
“The coming election in Osun State is important to Nigeria and the entire world. It is a major test of the integrity of INEC, a major test of the integrity of the Inspector-General of Police and, beyond that, a major test of the integrity of our institutions to know if we are prepared enough to conduct free, fair and credible elections ahead of the 2027 general election.
“We are very concerned because the police in Osun State are completely compromised. The current Commissioner of Police is acting in a partisan manner and working for a political party. This should not be happening in a country that prides itself as a democracy,” Olajengbesi alleged.
He appealed to the Federal Government, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), security agencies and international observers to ensure that voters are allowed to freely elect candidates of their choice without intimidation or interference.
“We are using this opportunity to call on the international community and the Federal Government of Nigeria to ensure that the election in Osun State is free and fair. The people of Osun State must be allowed to go to the polls and vote for the candidate of their choice,” Olajengbesi said.
He asked the Inspector-General of Police to redeploy the Osun State Commissioner of Police ahead of the election, alleging that the police command had failed to respond appropriately to incidents of political violence in the state.
