Former Vice President and presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Atiku Abubakar, has warned the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) against any action capable of undermining the credibility of Saturday’s governorship election in Osun State.
Atiku gave the warning on Wednesday in Abuja while speaking at the ongoing National Youth Leadership Summit of the ADC, describing the election as a crucial test of Nigeria’s electoral process ahead of the 2027 general elections.
He urged INEC to ensure that the poll is conducted transparently, stressing that there must be no unexplained disruptions or manipulation of the process.
According to him, election materials must be delivered promptly, accredited voters allowed to cast their ballots freely, while votes must be counted honestly and results transmitted transparently in line with the law.
“And to INEC, I say this clearly: Osun is a test. There must be no mysterious glitches. No unexplained delays. No manipulation of the process.
“Election materials must arrive promptly. Accredited voters must be allowed to vote freely. Votes must be counted honestly, and results must be transmitted transparently and in accordance with the law,” he said.
The former vice president also called on President Bola Tinubu and his administration to resist any attempt to deploy government institutions for partisan advantage during the election.
Atiku further charged security agencies to protect voters and safeguard the electoral process rather than intimidate citizens at polling units.
He said the presence of security personnel should help guarantee a peaceful election and not create fear among voters.
The ADC presidential candidate had earlier intensified his campaign for the party’s Osun governorship candidate, Najeem Salaam, urging residents to support the former Speaker of the Osun State House of Assembly in Saturday’s poll.
At the grand finale of the ADC governorship campaign rally in Osogbo on Monday, Atiku described the ADC as different from other political parties and claimed that the party had attracted some of the country’s best political leaders and professionals.
“I have come today to appeal to you to vote for the ADC. This is because the ADC I can assure you is different from APC, is different from Accord, is different from all other parties because the best of Nigerians is today in ADC,” he said.
Atiku also thanked party supporters for their large turnout at the rally, saying their mobilisation had strengthened the party leadership’s confidence that victory was achievable in the election.
“I believe you will not regret voting ADC in the forthcoming elections, that is why I have come personally to relate with you, to thank you for your previous support and to appeal to you to vote ADC in the next gubernatorial election,” he said.
The rally was attended by the ADC National Chairman, David Mark; National Secretary and former Osun State Governor, Rauf Aregbesola; and other leaders and supporters of the party.
Aregbesola said the ADC was contesting the election independently and expressed confidence that the party would emerge victorious.
The election will pit incumbent Governor Ademola Adeleke of the Accord Party against the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate, Bola Oyebamiji, and Salaam of the ADC, among other candidates.
