By Palang Paul
Nigerian lawyer Damilare Adenola has condemned the Oluwo of Iwoland’s alleged ban on presidential candidates campaigning in Osun State ahead of the 2027 elections.
Adenola made the position known in a statement dated Sunday, August 9, 2026, describing the monarch’s reported declaration as unconstitutional and legally unenforceable.
The lawyer was reacting to a recent public statement attributed to the Oluwo of Iwoland, Oba Abdulrosheed Akanbi, in which the monarch reportedly said no presidential candidate should campaign in Osun State ahead of the 2027 general elections except President Bola Tinubu.
According to Adenola, the declaration effectively seeks to prevent other presidential contenders, including Omoyele Sowore of the African Action Congress (AAC), Atiku Abubakar of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Peter Obi of the New Democratic Party (NDC), and Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde of the Action Peoples Movement (APM), from campaigning in the state.
He described the alleged restriction as unconstitutional, arguing that no individual, regardless of traditional status or position, has the legal authority to deny political candidates their constitutional rights across any part of Nigeria.
Adenola cited Sections 39, 40, 41 and 42 of the 1999 Constitution, which guarantee rights relating to freedom of expression, peaceful assembly, association and movement.
He maintained that even the President or a court could not arbitrarily prevent a candidate from campaigning in a particular part of the country without lawful authority and due process.
The lawyer further argued that the powers of a traditional ruler are principally confined to cultural and customary matters within his domain and do not extend to regulating political campaigns or determining which presidential candidates may enter or campaign in Osun State.
He also referenced Section 99(2) of the Electoral Act 2026, which prohibits the use of state apparatus, including the media, to advantage or disadvantage any political party or candidate during an election.
Adenola contended that publicly barring certain presidential candidates while endorsing another could amount to conduct inconsistent with the provision.
He further cited Section 99(1) of the Electoral Act, arguing that campaign activities are subject to rules made by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), rather than directives issued by traditional rulers.
“INEC, not a monarch, regulates how and where candidates campaign,” Adenola said.
He insisted that Sowore, Atiku, Obi, Makinde and every other duly recognised presidential candidate retain the right to campaign in Osun State and other parts of Nigeria, subject only to applicable laws and lawful electoral regulations.
Adenola consequently urged INEC and relevant security agencies to ensure that all candidates are allowed to campaign freely and without intimidation, obstruction or discrimination.
He warned that allowing political restrictions based on traditional authority could undermine constitutional rights, electoral fairness and the credibility of the 2027 electoral process.
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