The race for the Osun State governorship election has taken a fresh turn, with Governor Ademola Adeleke’s campaign council seeking the attention of British authorities over developments surrounding the August 15 poll.
The Imole Campaign Council submitted a petition to the British High Commission in Abuja on Friday, July 24, 2026, raising concerns about the political situation in the State ahead of the election.
The Council’s spokesperson, Pelumi Olajengbesi, who led the delegation, said the election would be a major test of Nigeria’s readiness to conduct credible elections ahead of the 2027 general elections.
“We have written to the British High Commission on the current political situation in Osun State. The people of Osun will proceed to vote on the 15th of August, 2026,” Olajengbesi said.
According to him, the election would test the integrity of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), the Inspector General of Police and other institutions responsible for ensuring a free, fair and credible election.
“This election is important to Nigeria and the world. It is a major test of the integrity of INEC, the Inspector General of Police and our institutions to know if we are prepared to conduct a free, fair and credible election in 2027,” he added.
Olajengbesi called on the Federal Government, international observers and civil society organisations to ensure neutrality by all stakeholders during the electoral process.
He also disclosed that the campaign council had petitioned the Inspector General of Police over reported cases of violence in Osun State, urging the police authorities to provide adequate security for voters.
“Our goal is to ensure that all stakeholders in this election, including INEC, the Nigeria Police and other security agencies, play their role in a neutral manner so that there can be a credible election that the entire world can be proud of,” he said.
Also speaking, Olufemi Franklin of the Coalition of Public Interest Lawyers described the forthcoming election as a “litmus test” for Nigeria’s democratic institutions.
Franklin said the credibility and integrity of key stakeholders, including the INEC Chairman and the Inspector General of Police, would be tested during the election.
“This election will test the credibility and integrity of stakeholders, including the Chairman of INEC and the Inspector General of Police. All hands must be on deck to ensure that the people are not robbed of their choice of governor,” he said.
He urged INEC to remain impartial and independent while calling on security agencies to provide a safe environment for voters.
“Nigeria is no longer a baby democracy. This election will show us what to expect in the 2027 general election. We are asking the IGP to rise to his responsibilities,” Franklin added.
The campaign council said it would continue to monitor the electoral process in Osun State and advocate for the protection of voters’ rights.
