Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has warned the Federal Government, security agencies and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) against using state institutions to influence the outcome of the August 15 Osun State governorship election.

Abubakar Atiku issued the warning on Wednesday at the 2026 National Youth Leadership Summit of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) in Abuja, where he described the security build-up around the election as troubling.

 

“The scale and posture of security deployment make it appear as though Nigeria is preparing for war rather than conducting an election,” Atiku said.

 

 

He stressed that security personnel should protect voters and electoral materials rather than create fear among citizens, while questioning why similar resources were not being deployed against terrorists, kidnappers and bandits.

 

 

“Elections are civil engagements, not military operations. Ballot papers are not bullets. Voters are not enemy combatants. Opposition members are not insurgents,” he said.

 

 

Turning to INEC, Atiku described the Osun election as a test of Nigeria’s democratic institutions and demanded a transparent process without delays, technical disruptions or manipulation.

“Osun is a test,” he declared.

He called for the prompt distribution of election materials, unhindered voting, proper counting and transparent transmission of results, while urging President Bola Tinubu’s administration not to use government institutions for partisan interests.

 

“The police belong to Nigeria. The military belongs to Nigeria. INEC belongs to the Nigerian people. None of them belongs to the APC,” Atiku said.

The ADC presidential candidate warned that the conduct of the Osun election could shape public confidence in the 2027 general election.

 

“If our institutions cannot conduct a free, fair, peaceful and transparent election in one state, Nigerians will legitimately ask what confidence they should have in the general election next year,” he said.

 

Atiku concluded with a direct appeal to the electoral commission, security agencies and the Federal Government: “Let the people vote. Let every vote count. And let the will of the people prevail.”