PRESS CONFERENCE BY THE NATIONAL CHAIRMAN, INTER-PARTY ADVISORY COUNCIL (IPAC), NIGERIA, DR. YUSUF M. DANTALLE, FOLLOWING THE IPAC GENERAL ASSEMBLY ON THE POLITICAL SITUATION IN OSUN STATE FOR A FREE, FAIR, TRANSPARENT, CREDIBLE AND PEACEFUL GOVERNORSHIP ELECTION IN OSUN STATE ABUJA — MONDAY, 10TH AUGUST 2026
PROTOCOL
I welcome you to this press conference convened following the meeting of the General Assembly of the Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC), Nigeria, the umbrella body of all registered political parties in Nigeria. The General Assembly was principally convened to deliberate on the prevailing political situation in Osun State ahead of the Governorship Election scheduled for Saturday, 15th August 2026, and to consider measures necessary to safeguard democratic values, promote peaceful political engagement and ensure a free, fair, transparent and credible electoral process.
Following extensive deliberations, consultations and consideration of the prevailing political environment in the State, the General Assembly has resolved to make the following observations, appeals and recommendations.
OUR CALL FOR A FREE, FAIR, TRANSPARENT, CREDIBLE AND PEACEFUL ELECTION
IPAC unequivocally calls on all stakeholders to ensure that the 15th August 2026 Osun Governorship Election is conducted in a manner that is free, fair, transparent, credible, peaceful and acceptable to the people of Osun State. The election must be a genuine contest of ideas, policies, programmes and the popularity of candidates and political parties.
The ultimate determinant of the outcome must be the freely expressed will of the people of Osun State through their votes. The people of Osun must be allowed to exercise their constitutional right to choose their Governor without intimidation, harassment, inducement, violence, manipulation or undue interference. IPAC therefore urges every political actor to place the peace, stability and democratic future of Osun State above partisan and personal interests.
POLITICAL PARTIES AND CANDIDATES MUST UPHOLD DEMOCRATIC NORMS
Political parties and candidates are the principal actors in the electoral process and have a special responsibility to protect the integrity of democracy.
We therefore call on all political parties, candidates, campaign organisations, supporters and their agents to:
conduct their activities in accordance with the Constitution, Electoral Act and applicable regulations;
respect the rights and freedoms of other political parties and candidates;
reject violence, intimidation, harassment and provocation;
refrain from inflammatory, inciting or hate-filled statements;
respect the electoral process and the authority of legally constituted institutions;
encourage their supporters to maintain peace before, during and after the election; and
accept legitimate electoral outcomes while pursuing any genuine grievances through lawful channels.
Political competition must not become political warfare. There can be no winner in an election conducted in an atmosphere of violence, fear and intimidation.
IMMEDIATE DE-ESCALATION OF POLITICAL TENSION
IPAC is deeply concerned about the heightened political tension surrounding the election. We therefore make a strong and urgent appeal to all political parties, candidates, political leaders, government officials, supporters and other stakeholders to immediately de-escalate political tension in Osun State. We urge all political actors to lower the temperature of political rhetoric and refrain from statements, threats, actions or counter-actions capable of aggravating tension or threatening the peace and stability of the State.
The language of political engagement must be the language of persuasion, tolerance and democratic competition — not confrontation, threats or intimidation. We particularly appeal to political leaders to exercise restraint and demonstrate statesmanship. The people of Osun State should not be made to bear the consequences of political disagreements among political actors.
NO TO VIOLENCE, INTIMIDATION AND POLITICAL THUGGERY
IPAC strongly condemns every form of electoral violence, political thuggery, intimidation, harassment and destruction of property. There must be zero tolerance for violence before, during or after the election. We call on political parties and candidates to publicly disassociate themselves from violent groups, thugs and other agents of disorder and to ensure that their supporters do not engage in acts capable of disrupting the electoral process.
Security agencies must also act professionally, impartially and within the law to protect citizens, electoral personnel, election materials and critical electoral infrastructure. The presence of security personnel at polling units must provide confidence and protection to voters, not fear or intimidation.
STATE INSTITUTIONS MUST NOT BE USED TO MANIPULATE THE ELECTORAL PROCESS
IPAC condemns the action of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) in freezing the accounts of the Osun State Government, describing the action as politically motivated and capable of undermining the effective administration of the state.
The Council maintains that investigations or probes into alleged financial impropriety can be conducted, relevant transactions traced, and anyone found culpable apprehended and prosecuted without resorting to the blanket freezing of state government accounts.
Freezing the accounts of a state government has far-reaching consequences, as it effectively deprives millions of citizens of access to public resources meant for essential services and developmental programmes. Of particular concern is the potential impact on the payment of salaries and other legitimate entitlements of hardworking civil servants who depend on their monthly wages to meet their basic needs.
IPAC therefore urges the EFCC to exercise utmost caution, professionalism and restraint in the discharge of its mandate and ensure that its actions do not inadvertently punish innocent citizens for alleged infractions they neither committed nor facilitated.
The fight against corruption must be pursued vigorously and without political considerations, but it must equally be conducted within the ambit of the law, due process and respect for the rights and welfare of citizens.
IPAC strongly condemns the use or abuse of state institutions, public resources, governmental machinery or security apparatus to intimidate political opponents, suppress legitimate political activity, manipulate the electoral process or influence the free choice of voters. Government institutions belong to the people and must remain institutions of the State, not instruments of partisan political competition. No political party or candidate should enjoy an institutional advantage merely because it controls governmental structures. All relevant public institutions must therefore maintain political neutrality, professionalism, impartiality and strict adherence to the rule of law.
IPAC will not support any attempt by any political party, candidate or public institution to undermine the democratic rights of the people of Osun State. The ballot belongs to the people. The electoral process belongs to the people. And the outcome must reflect the will of the people.
THE INDEPENDENT NATIONAL ELECTORAL COMMISSION (INEC)
IPAC calls on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to conduct the election with the highest degree of professionalism, independence, transparency and impartiality. The Commission must ensure strict compliance with the Constitution, the Electoral Act 2026, its regulations, guidelines and the approved timetable and schedule of activities for the election. INEC officials and ad-hoc personnel must remain neutral and professional throughout the electoral process.
We urge the Commission to ensure that:
all eligible voters are able to vote without intimidation or obstruction;
election officials are properly trained and adequately supervised;
electoral materials are delivered to the appropriate locations on time;
the accreditation and voting process is conducted transparently;
results are accurately collated and transparently announced in accordance with the law;
all political parties and candidates are treated equally;
complaints arising during the electoral process are promptly addressed within the Commission’s legal powers; and
the integrity of the entire electoral process is protected from manipulation.
SECURITY AGENCIES MUST REMAIN PROFESSIONAL AND NON-PARTISAN
IPAC calls on all security agencies deployed for the election to operate strictly within their constitutional and statutory mandates. Security personnel must protect voters, candidates, party agents, electoral officials and election materials without discrimination. They must not become instruments for suppressing legitimate political activities or intimidating voters. At the same time, political parties and their supporters must cooperate with security agencies and refrain from actions capable of provoking confrontation or compromising public safety. The security of the people must remain paramount.
REJECTION OF VOTE BUYING AND OTHER FORMS OF ELECTORAL INDUCEMENT
IPAC also condemns the practice of vote buying and voter inducement in all its forms. The vote of every Nigerian is sacred. No citizen should be compelled, induced or coerced to exchange his or her vote for money, gifts, material benefits or political favours. Political parties and candidates must compete through their ideas, programmes, records and vision for the development of Osun State. The electorate must be free to make their choices without financial inducement or coercion.
POLITICAL PARTIES MUST PROMOTE PEACEFUL POLITICAL COMPETITION
IPAC reaffirms the fundamental role of political parties in promoting peaceful political competition and democratic consolidation. Political parties are not merely vehicles for winning elections. They are essential institutions for political participation, representation, political education, leadership recruitment and democratic accountability.
Consequently, political parties have a responsibility to strengthen democratic culture by encouraging tolerance, respect for opposing views, peaceful political engagement and respect for the rule of law. We therefore urge all political parties contesting the Osun Governorship Election to sign up to and demonstrate a genuine commitment to peace before, during and after the election.
THE ELECTORAL PROCESS MUST REFLECT THE WILL OF THE PEOPLE
IPAC’s central message today is simple: Let the people of Osun choose their Governor. No individual, political party, institution or group should attempt to substitute its will for that of the electorate. The integrity of an election is not determined merely by the casting of ballots. It encompasses the entire electoral cycle, from campaigning and voter mobilisation to accreditation, voting, counting, collation, declaration of results and the lawful resolution of disputes.
Every stage must therefore be transparent, credible and capable of withstanding public scrutiny. An electoral victory is only meaningful when it is obtained through a process that the people consider legitimate.
RESPECT FOR THE RULE OF LAW AND ELECTORAL DISPUTE RESOLUTION
IPAC urges all political parties and candidates to respect the rule of law.
Where genuine disputes arise, political actors should utilise the legally established mechanisms for seeking redress rather than resorting to violence, self-help or extra-legal measures. The Judiciary remains an important pillar of democratic governance and must be allowed to discharge its constitutional responsibilities independently and impartially. Political actors should therefore have confidence in lawful dispute-resolution mechanisms and refrain from actions capable of undermining the authority of democratic institutions.
OUR APPEAL TO THE PEOPLE OF OSUN STATE
We appeal to the people of Osun State to remain peaceful, vigilant and patriotic. Do not allow yourselves to be used as instruments of political violence. Do not allow political differences to divide communities, families and neighbours. Vote according to your conscience and choice. Protect your Permanent Voter’s Card and exercise your democratic right peacefully. After voting, remain calm and allow the electoral officials to perform their duties. Osun State belongs to all its citizens, regardless of political affiliation. No election is worth the destruction of the peace, unity and future of the State.
OUR COLLECTIVE RESPONSIBILITY
The responsibility for a credible election does not belong to INEC alone. It is a collective responsibility of political parties, candidates, voters, INEC, security agencies, the Judiciary, the media, civil society organisations, traditional and religious leaders, development partners and all other stakeholders. Every institution must therefore play its part responsibly.
The media, in particular, has a critical responsibility to promote factual, balanced and responsible reporting and to avoid disseminating unverified information capable of inflaming political tension. Traditional and religious leaders should continue to use their respected positions to preach peace, tolerance and responsible citizenship. Civil society organisations and election observers should independently monitor the process and report credible findings through appropriate channels.
CONCLUSION
Distinguished ladies and gentlemen, the 2026 Osun Governorship Election presents another important opportunity to demonstrate that Nigeria’s democracy is capable of conducting elections in which the will of the people prevails. IPAC being an umbrella body of all registered political parties is committed to deepening and strengthening democracy. Our only interest is the success of democracy in Nigeria. Our only constituency is the Nigerian people. Our only demand is that the people of Osun State must be allowed to freely determine, through their votes, who governs them.
We therefore call on all political parties, candidates and their supporters to sheathe their swords, reject violence and inflammatory rhetoric, and embrace peaceful democratic competition. We call on INEC to conduct the election professionally, independently, transparently and in strict accordance with the Constitution, Electoral Act and applicable regulations. We call on the security agencies to remain neutral, professional and non-partisan. We call on all State and federal institutions to resist every attempt to use public authority or state machinery to intimidate opponents, suppress legitimate political participation or manipulate the electoral process.
We call on the media and civil society to remain vigilant and responsible. And we call on the people of Osun State to come out peacefully and exercise their constitutional right to vote.
Let us remember that democracy is not simply about who wins an election; it is about ensuring that the process through which the winner emerges is credible, transparent, legitimate and reflective of the will of the people.
Let the votes of the people count. Let the votes be counted accurately.
Let the results reflect the votes. Let the will of the people prevail.
IPAC calls for a free, fair, transparent, credible and peaceful election in Osun State. IPAC calls for an election without violence, intimidation or manipulation.
IPAC calls on all stakeholders to protect the peace and democratic integrity of Osun State. And above all: LET THE PEOPLE OF OSUN CHOOSE THEIR LEADER. This is the essence of democracy. This is the responsibility of all of us.
I thank you for your attention.
Long live the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
Long live Osun State.
Long live Nigerian democracy.
Thank you and God bless.
