The Ooni of Ife, Arole Oduduwa Ooni Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, CFR, Ojaja II, has expressed deep concern over the growing political tension in Osun State ahead of the August 15, 2026 governorship election, calling on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to conduct a free, fair and transparent electoral process capable of inspiring public confidence.
The revered monarch made the appeal on Tuesday at the Ile-Oodua Palace in Ile-Ife while receiving the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Professor Joash Amupitan, who led a delegation of the commission on a courtesy visit to seek the support and blessings of the traditional institution ahead of the off-cycle governorship election.
The INEC delegation was received in the presence of prominent traditional rulers from the Osun State Council of Obas, who joined the Ooni for discussions centred on the forthcoming election and the imperative of sustaining peace across the state.
Speaking during the meeting, the Ooni said the political atmosphere in Osun had become increasingly tense, warning that the situation required restraint from political actors and impartiality from institutions responsible for conducting the election.
According to the monarch, traditional rulers have a constitutional and moral obligation to remain above partisan politics while consistently advocating peace, justice and unity in the interest of the people.
“There is political tension in Osun State and the situation is becoming increasingly worrisome. As custodians of our people’s heritage, we must always speak the truth without regard to political affiliations because the peace and stability of Osun State are greater than the ambitions of any individual or political group,” the Ooni said.
He stressed that while political alliances may change with time, the traditional institution remains a permanent symbol of continuity, peace and communal harmony, adding that no political contest should be allowed to undermine the state’s unity.
The Ooni urged politicians to conduct their campaigns responsibly and allow the electorate to freely determine the state’s next governor without intimidation, violence or manipulation.
He also charged INEC to uphold the highest standards of neutrality, transparency and professionalism throughout the electoral process, noting that the commission bears a critical responsibility in strengthening public confidence and reducing political anxiety.
“You are the umpire. Your conduct must reflect fairness, justice and transparency. The people of Osun deserve an election that is free, credible and acceptable to all. Your actions will go a long way in calming the current political tension across the state,” he stated.
The monarch further commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for what he described as efforts to strengthen Nigeria’s electoral institutions and create an enabling environment for INEC to operate independently, while expressing optimism that the commission would justify that confidence through a credible electoral exercise.
Appealing directly to political parties, candidates and their supporters, the Ooni cautioned against inflammatory rhetoric and actions capable of inciting violence, reminding them that elections should never destroy relationships or permanently divide communities.
He reiterated the commitment of the traditional institution to promoting peaceful coexistence before, during and after the election, while encouraging eligible voters to participate in the democratic process without fear or intimidation.
Earlier, INEC Chairman, Professor Joash Amupitan, described the visit to the Ooni’s Palace as both a cultural obligation and an important institutional engagement aimed at strengthening collaboration between the electoral commission and the traditional institution.
He noted that Ile-Ife occupies a unique place in Yoruba history and civilisation, while describing the Ooni as the foremost custodian of Yoruba culture and tradition whose influence remains vital in promoting peace and public confidence during elections.
According to Amupitan, the forthcoming Osun governorship election carries national significance as one of the country’s major off-cycle polls and serves as an important precursor to preparations for the 2027 general elections.
He assured the royal fathers that INEC remains committed to delivering a credible, transparent and peaceful election, adding that technologies such as the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) would be fully deployed to safeguard the integrity of the process.
The INEC chairman said restoring and sustaining public confidence in the electoral process remains one of the commission’s foremost priorities, emphasizing that confidence can only be earned through elections that genuinely reflect the will of the people.
He also appealed to traditional rulers to continue using their influence to encourage peaceful coexistence, discourage political violence and promote issue-based campaigns across the state.
Expressing concern over the prevailing security situation, Amupitan urged political parties and their supporters to avoid actions capable of disrupting public order, while warning against vote-buying and other electoral malpractices.
He assured residents that adequate electoral materials and logistics would be deployed across Osun State ahead of the election and advised the public to rely only on verified information released by INEC, cautioning against the spread of unsubstantiated claims capable of heightening political tension.