INEC Chairman Prof. Joash Amupitan seeks support from traditional rulers to help ensure a peaceful, credible and violence-free governorship election in Osun State on 15 August 2026. He makes the appeal during a Tuesday courtesy visit to the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, in Ile-Ife. Amupitan says the election is a key off-cycle poll and a “litmus test” for the 2027 general elections. He urges the Ooni and other traditional leaders to appeal to political parties and contestants to run issue-based campaigns without rancour or violence, and he warns against misinformation and disinformation that could trigger unrest. Amupitan also highlights INEC’s aim of restoring public confidence through credible, free, fair and transparent elections. In response, the Ooni acknowledges that political tensions in Osun have become “unbearable” and says traditional rulers remain above partisan politics, pledging to advocate for fairness, justice and peace. The Ooni calls on INEC to remain impartial and allow voters to choose freely. During the visit, Amupitan also announces a timetable for the 2027 general elections: 16 January 2027 for presidential and National Assembly polls, and 6 February 2027 for governorship and State House of Assembly elections.