August 9, 2026 | Politics | SUNTV Global Channel
A legal practitioner, Damilare Adenola, has challenged a reported declaration by the Oluwo of Iwoland, Oba Abdulrosheed Akanbi, allegedly restricting presidential candidates other than President Bola Tinubu from campaigning in Osun State ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Adenola described the reported position as unconstitutional, arguing that a traditional ruler does not have the legal authority to prevent political candidates from campaigning within any part of Osun State.
The lawyer said such a restriction could affect opposition and rival presidential candidates, including Omoyele Sowore of the African Action Congress (AAC), Atiku Abubakar of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Peter Obi of the New Democratic Congress (NDC), and Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde of the Allied Peoples Movement (APM).
According to Adenola, Sections 39, 40, 41 and 42 of the 1999 Constitution protect citizens’ rights to freedom of expression, peaceful assembly, association and movement.
He argued that these rights cannot be denied by an individual, regardless of the person’s traditional or political position.
Adenola maintained that even where constitutional rights are subject to lawful restrictions, such restrictions must follow due process and cannot simply be imposed by a traditional ruler.
He said the authority of traditional rulers is primarily rooted in cultural and customary matters within their respective domains and does not extend to controlling political campaigns.
The lawyer further referred to Section 99 of the Electoral Act 2026, arguing that election campaigns are subject to regulations established by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
He also cited provisions concerning the use of state apparatus during elections, arguing that publicly favouring one candidate while preventing others from campaigning could raise questions under the electoral framework.
According to Adenola, the responsibility for regulating election campaigns belongs to INEC rather than traditional institutions.
The lawyer called on INEC and security agencies to ensure that all qualified presidential candidates are allowed to campaign freely in Osun State and other parts of Nigeria in accordance with the law.
He maintained that candidates such as Sowore, Atiku, Obi, Makinde and other presidential contenders should be able to exercise their constitutional and electoral rights without unlawful interference.
The reported controversy comes as political activities gradually intensify ahead of Nigeria’s 2027 general elections, with political parties and potential presidential contenders beginning to position themselves for the contest.
SUNTV Global Channel will continue to monitor developments and bring you updates on Nigeria’s political landscape.
