{
  "id": 684867,
  "title": "Osun: Don’t turn election into war, Atiku tells FG",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/12/osun-dont-turn-election-into-war-atiku-tells-fg",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-08-12T16:29:31.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Daily Trust",
    "slug": "daily-trust",
    "url": "https://dailytrust.com/osun-dont-turn-election-into-war-atiku-tells-fg/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Atiku Abubakar, the Presidential Candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), has cautioned the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), security forces, and the Tinubu administration to refrain from militarizing the Osun governorship election or using state institutions for partisan gain. Speaking at the ADC National Youth Leadership Summit in Abuja, Atiku emphasized that \"Osun is a test\" of Nigeria's ability to hold fair elections prior to the upcoming general election. He criticized the level and manner of security deployment around the election, calling it more akin to a military operation than a civil, democratic process. Atiku stressed that \"elections are civil engagements, not military operations. Ballot papers are not bullets. Voters are not enemy combatants. Opposition members are not insurgents.\" He questioned why such a substantial security presence was not being utilized to combat terrorism, kidnappings, and banditry that are endangering Nigerians and attacking communities. Atiku warned INEC against \"mysterious glitches, unexplained delays, or manipulation,\" insisting on the timely arrival of election materials, unobstructed voting, accurate counting, and transparent transmission of results. He affirmed that \"the police belong to Nigeria. The military belongs to Nigeria. INEC belongs to the Nigerian people. None of them belongs to the APC.\" Atiku also questioned the discrepancies found in President Bola Tinubu's Chicago State University certificate submitted to INEC, pointing out differences in dates, signatures, and descriptions of the degree. He questioned the authenticity of the document and why it varies from the other version, and who authorized any supposed replacements. Atiku appealed to Section 137(1)(j) of the Constitution, which disqualifies presidential candidates who submit forged certificates to INEC, and demanded that the exact document submitted be authenticated. He urged young Nigerians to register, organize, and lead, transforming frustration into political engagement. Atiku stressed that \"your time is now.\"",
  "summary": "Presidential Candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Atiku Abubakar, has warned the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), security agencies and the Tinubu administration against militarising the Osun governorship election or deploying state institutions for partisan advantage. Speaking at the ADC National Youth Leadership Summit in Abuja, Atiku declared that “Osun is a…",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Punch",
        "title": "Probe viral threat video against me, Osun Speaker tells IG",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/12/probe-viral-threat-video-against-me-osun-speaker-tells-ig",
        "published": "2026-08-12T22:46:52.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}