Tinubu Charges INEC, Security Agencies to Ensure Peaceful, Credible Guber Polls In Ekiti, Osun

June 12 (THEWILL) — President Bola Tinubu has charged Nigeria’s electoral management body, security agencies, and political actors to ensure that the forthcoming governorship elections in Ekiti State and Osun State are conducted peacefully, transparently, and in a manner that preserves public confidence in the country’s democratic process.

The President gave the directive on Friday during his nationwide broadcast commemorating Nigeria’s 2026 Democracy Day celebration, warning that democracy becomes endangered when citizens lose trust in electoral institutions and begin to doubt the credibility of the voting process.

Tinubu, while reflecting on Nigeria’s 27 uninterrupted years of civilian rule since the country’s return to democracy in 1999, stressed that the strength of any democratic system lies not only in periodic elections but in public confidence that electoral outcomes truly reflect the will of the people.

“In the coming days, Ekiti and Osun States will hold elections. I urge INEC, security agencies, and all parties to ensure these polls are peaceful and credible. Democracy fails when citizens doubt the process,” the President declared.

The President’s remarks come amid heightened political activities in both states ahead of the governorship elections, with observers already calling for tighter electoral safeguards to prevent violence, voter intimidation, and disputes capable of undermining confidence in the process.

Tinubu used the Democracy Day address to reflect on Nigeria’s democratic journey, noting that the country has now sustained its longest uninterrupted stretch of civilian governance since independence.

According to him, since the restoration of democracy on May 29, 1999, Nigerians have consistently demonstrated commitment to constitutional governance by electing leaders through the ballot box, managing political disagreements through lawful institutions, and sustaining peaceful transfers of power.

“Today, we celebrate democracy and the enduring Nigerian spirit. For 27 unbroken years since May 29, 1999, Nigerians have chosen their leaders through the ballot, witnessed peaceful transitions of power and resolved disagreements in courtrooms and legislative chambers — not through violence,” he said.

The President acknowledged that Nigeria’s democracy remains imperfect but insisted the system belongs to Nigerians and must be defended continuously.

“Our democracy is not perfect, but it is ours, and we must continue to defend and strengthen it,” Tinubu stated.

Beyond electoral management, the President called on critical democratic institutions including the Independent National Electoral Commission, the National Assembly, the judiciary, civil society organisations, and the media to continue playing their constitutional roles in safeguarding democratic governance.

Tinubu described these institutions as the “guardrails of the republic,” stressing that their independence and commitment to constitutional order remain essential for democratic survival.

Addressing members of the press and civil society groups, the President said criticism of government should remain part of democratic accountability, while urging citizens never to lose faith in Nigeria’s future.

“To our National Assembly, judiciary, the press, and civil society: you are the guardrails of our republic. Criticise me, disagree with me, but never stop believing in Nigeria,” he said.

In a direct message to Nigeria’s youth population, Tinubu urged young citizens to remain committed to nation-building by investing their talents and energy in the country rather than abandoning national development efforts.

He encouraged young Nigerians to contribute through innovation, entrepreneurship, civic participation, and active political engagement, particularly voting.

“To our young people: Nigeria is your home and your future. Build here, code here, work here, and vote here. Every great nation was built by those who stayed to solve problems, not by those who abandoned ship,” he stated.