The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has assured residents of Osun State that the internal crisis within the state chapter of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) will not affect logistics for the August 15, 2026 governorship election.
The assurance came amid concerns that the leadership dispute within the transport union could disrupt the movement of election materials and personnel across the state during the poll.
Speaking on Sunday at a town hall meeting in Osogbo, the Osun State Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Dr. Oluwatoyin Babalola, said INEC had put adequate measures in place to ensure that transportation arrangements for the election remained unaffected.
The meeting, organised by the Civil Society Network on Election Integrity, brought together representatives of civil society organisations, security agencies, the media, traditional rulers, Persons with Disabilities (PWDs), election observers and other stakeholders to discuss preparations for the governorship election.
Babalola described transportation as one of the most important aspects of election planning, noting that any failure in that area could undermine the entire electoral process.
According to her, moving electoral officials and sensitive materials from INEC offices to local government areas, registration centres and polling units depends heavily on an effective transport system.
“Transportation is a critical aspect of election logistics, because no matter how well planned an election is, when transportation fails, the election has failed,” she said.
“It is these transporters who use transport to move men and materials to the local government, to the registration areas, and to the polling units.”
Despite concerns over the leadership crisis within the Osun chapter of the NURTW, the REC said INEC was dealing directly with the union’s national leadership rather than any of the factions operating in the state.
She explained that the commission had held several meetings with officials of the national body to ensure that vehicles would be made available on time and that transport operators would remain professional and politically neutral throughout the election.
According to her, the national leadership of the union has assured INEC that the internal dispute in Osun would not affect the commission’s election plans.
“Regarding the issues that are happening within the parks, I have not been informed of any faction. We have been working with a specific body,” Babalola said.
“So there is a representative of the national body that we are speaking with. We are not speaking with any faction, and they are giving us assurances that we are not going to have any problem.
“Whatever problem they have internally is their problem, but as regards the engagement with INEC for the movement of men and materials, we are not envisaging any problem because we are dealing with the national body.”
The reassurance comes as political activities intensify ahead of the Osun governorship election, which is expected to attract keen attention across the country.
The election will determine who succeeds Governor Ademola Adeleke or whether the incumbent secures another term in office, making it one of the most closely watched off-cycle governorship elections in Nigeria.
Election observers have identified logistics as one of the key factors that could influence the credibility and smooth conduct of the poll.
Over the years, delays in the arrival of electoral officials and materials have affected voting in some parts of the country, prompting INEC to place greater emphasis on early planning and coordination with transport providers.
Beyond election logistics, participants at the town hall meeting also stressed the need for peaceful conduct before, during and after the election.
Traditional rulers used the occasion to appeal to politicians and their supporters to avoid violence and allow voters to freely exercise their democratic rights.
The Elegboro of Ijebu-Jesa, Oba Moses Agunsoye, urged residents to reject vote-buying and make their choices based on competence and credibility rather than financial inducement.
He warned that no political ambition was worth the loss of human lives and appealed to political parties to conduct their campaigns peacefully.
Oba Agunsoye also addressed reports suggesting that Ijesaland could become one of the flashpoints during the election.
He disclosed that traditional rulers in the area, led by the Owa Obokun of Ijesaland, Oba Adesuyi Haastrup, had already met with political stakeholders to caution them against violence.
According to him, traditional institutions are committed to preserving peace and ensuring that the election is conducted without bloodshed.
Also speaking, the Akire of Ikire-Ile, Oba AbdulAzeez Olatunbosun, said the governorship election should be seen as a contest of ideas rather than a struggle for power through violence.
He urged political actors to put the interests of the state above personal ambition and ensure that peace remains the priority throughout the election period.
“Let us place the peace, unity, and progress of our society above personal interests and ensure that the election is conducted peacefully,” the monarch said.
Other participants at the meeting, including representatives of civil society groups, also called on security agencies and electoral officials to remain neutral while carrying out their responsibilities.
They urged security personnel to resist political pressure and ensure that all parties and voters are treated fairly during the election.
The stakeholders also stressed the importance of transparency in the electoral process, saying public confidence in the election would depend on the professionalism of INEC officials and security agencies.
Osun has witnessed keenly contested governorship elections in the past, with some resulting in legal disputes and political tension.
As preparations continue for the August 15 poll, INEC has repeatedly assured voters that it is committed to conducting a free, fair and credible election in line with the Electoral Act and its operational guidelines.
The commission has also continued to engage political parties, civil society organisations, traditional institutions, security agencies and transport unions to address potential challenges before election day.
With less than three weeks to the governorship poll, attention is now focused on the readiness of electoral officials, the conduct of political parties and the ability of security agencies to maintain peace across the state.
INEC’s latest assurance that the NURTW crisis will not disrupt election logistics is expected to calm concerns among voters and other stakeholders as Osun prepares for another major democratic exercise.