Traditional religion worshippers in Osun State have called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to reschedule the 2026 governorship election, citing a clash with the annual Osun-Osogbo Cultural Festival.
The group said the poll, fixed for August 8, comes immediately after the festival’s grand finale on August 7, creating concerns over logistics and public safety.
In a letter to INEC leadership, the traditionalists explained that the Osun-Osogbo Festival runs from July 27 to August 7 and follows a fixed spiritual calendar that cannot be altered.
They noted that the festival attracts thousands of worshippers, tourists, and visitors from within and outside Nigeria, leading to heavy movement and gatherings across Osogbo.
The association warned that holding an election a day after the festival could overstretch security agencies and make enforcement of election-eve restrictions difficult. They also expressed fears that the large crowds could be exploited by political actors to cause unrest or disrupt the electoral process.
Citing past precedents where elections were postponed due to security concerns, the traditionalists urged INEC to consider shifting the poll date in the interest of peace and credible elections. The Osun governorship election is scheduled for August 8, 2026, to choose a successor to the incumbent administration.