The Diocesan Bishop, Ijesa North (Anglican Communion), Rev. Isaac Oluyamo, has called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to respect the sacredness of the ballot and allow the people’s votes to count in the forthcoming Ekiti and Osun State governorship polls.
Ekiti and Osun states are scheduled to go to the polls to elect governors on July 20 and August 8, 2026, respectively.
Ahead of the elections, stakeholders have continued to express diverse opinions on INEC’s readiness to conduct credible polls.
Joining calls for the electoral body to conduct free and fair elections, Oluyamo made the appeal during his sermon at the 2026 thanksgiving service of the diocese, held at St. Matthew’s Church, Ijebu-Jesa, Osun State, on Sunday.
He urged INEC to “let the choice of the people stand.”
The cleric also charged the police and other security agencies to “strip themselves of partisanship” and discharge their duties with professionalism and the fear of God.
“With the Ekiti and Osun State elections on the horizon, I appeal to the federal authorities and INEC to respect the sacredness of the ballot.
“Let the choice of the people stand. I further charge the police and other security agencies to strip themselves of partisanship and do their work with professionalism and the fear of God,” Oluyamo said.
In his remarks to President Bola Tinubu on insecurity, the Anglican bishop said that despite efforts to rid the country of perpetrators of violent crimes, abductions, banditry and other criminal acts, fear still looms on highways across the nation.
While commending Tinubu and steps taken by his administration to mitigate security challenges, Oluyamo said “half-measures are no longer enough.”
He continued, “We acknowledge the efforts made, but the President must do more — and he must do it with extreme urgency. The people are weary.
“To re-instil the confidence and trust that have been eroded, the government must move from ‘mitigation’ to ‘eradication.’ Our farms must be safe, our roads must be secure, and the Nigerian child must sleep without the sound of gunfire.”
In his prediction for the year 2026, Oluyamo urged Nigerians to face the new year with courage and prayers, while offering prayers for peace in Osun State and the country.
He added, “Your journey in 2026 shall please the Lord. You shall not stagger. You shall end this year with testimonies that silence the devourer. As the Lord lives, Nigeria shall move from the drought into the garden of plenty.”
