The presidential candidate of the Action Democratic Party (ADP), Ambassador Aliyu Bin Abbas, and the party’s vice-presidential candidate, Hon. Chinazam Ike, have urged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to use the forthcoming Osun State governorship election as a test of its preparedness for the 2027 general election.
The duo made the call in a joint statement issued on Tuesday, saying the Osun election presented INEC with an opportunity to demonstrate its readiness to conduct free, fair, transparent and credible elections.
They urged the electoral commission to ensure that all stages of the electoral process, including voter accreditation, voting, counting, collation and declaration of results, are conducted in accordance with the law.
The ADP candidates said any challenges identified during the Osun election should be addressed ahead of the 2027 general election.
‘Osun should not be treated as just another off-cycle election. It should serve as a critical test of INEC’s readiness for 2027. Whatever shortcomings are identified must be corrected before the general election,’ they said.
They also called on political parties, candidates and security agencies to work towards ensuring a peaceful electoral environment.
The duo urged stakeholders to reject vote buying, intimidation, violence and other practices capable of undermining the electoral process.
They stressed the need for an electoral system in which the votes of Nigerians are protected and accurately reflected in the final results.
‘Let Osun set a new standard for electoral integrity and demonstrate that Nigeria is ready for a credible 2027 General Election,’ they said.