Former Vice President and presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Atiku Abubakar, has cautioned the Federal Government, law enforcement bodies, and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) against deploying state organs to sway the result of the August 15 Osun State gubernatorial poll.

Atiku issued this admonition on Wednesday during the 2026 National Youth Leadership Summit of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) held in Abuja, expressing concern over the heavy security presence surrounding the upcoming election.

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

He emphasized that security operatives ought to safeguard voters and election sensitive items instead of intimidating the populace, questioning why comparable resources were not being mobilized to combat 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 stated.

Directing his message to INEC, Atiku characterized the Osun election as a crucial assessment of the nation’s democratic structures, demanding a seamless process devoid of delays, technical glitches, or irregularities.

“Osun is a test,” he declared.

He advocated the swift dispatch of electoral materials, unimpeded voting procedures, accurate collation, and open transmission of results, while advising President Bola Tinubu’s government against using public machinery to advance political party 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 stated.

The ADC presidential flagbearer cautioned that the execution of the Osun poll would influence public trust ahead of the 2027 general elections.

“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 noted.

Atiku rounded off his remarks with a direct plea to the electoral umpire, security formations, and the central government: “Let the people vote. Let every vote count. And let the will of the people prevail.”