•Traditional rulers administer peace oaths
Contents
Adeleke in early lead
Skirmishes, tear gas, ballot box snatching mar voting
Lawmaker, others arrested
ADC candidate’s polling unit attacked
Tension in Modakeke
Traditional rulers administer oaths to gladiators
Large turnout despite fears
•97-year-old man votes
•Election records impressive turnouts
Nigerians are eagerly awaiting the conclusion of the Osun State governorship election today when the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) will officially announce the winner.
The keenly contested election witnessed a remarkable turnout of voters despite the pockets of pre-election violence and threats by gladiators of the two major parties: Accord and All Progressives Congress (APC).
The electoral contest, which was largely between Accord party’s candidate, Senator Ademola Adeleke and APC’s candidate, Asiwaju Muniru Bola Oyebamiji, had raised the stakes of electioneering in the manner the parties went about their campaigns and projecting it as a do-or-die. The pre-election intrigues, especially the curious involvement of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) which brought unwholesome attention to the anti-graft agency, especially wide interest.
Adeleke in early lead
While both Adeleke and Oyebamiji won big in their units, some political big shots in the state recorded huge losses.
As of 8.48.08pm on Saturday, INEC presiding officers had uploaded the results of 3,292 polling units, amounting to 87.48 per cent of the total polling units before the exercise was suspended for some hours.
No official reason was given by INEC for the halt in the election results upload.
It is recalled that Osun State with 30 Local Government Areas has 3,673 designated polling units and 332 Wards.
Tallied results from the uploaded results had Adeleke’s Accord leading with 69,122 votes having polled 455,254 votes.
Oyebamiji’s All Progressives Congress’s tallied vote from the 3,292 polling units was 386,132.
Skirmishes, tear gas, ballot box snatching mar voting
The election on Saturday experienced a combination of high voter turnout and instances of violence.
Reports indicate the election was marred by multiple incidents of ballot box snatching, alleged tear-gassing of voters, disruptions to the voting process, and the arrest of political figures and suspected electoral mercenaries throughout the state.
These incidents occurred despite a significant presence of security personnel and traditional measures in certain communities, where local monarchs had administered oaths to discourage political actors from disrupting the election or inciting violence.
Nonetheless, many polling units reported a generally peaceful atmosphere, with elderly individuals, women, youth, and Persons Living With Disabilities (PWDs) among the thousands of voters exercising their right to vote.
Among the voters was 97-year-old Pa Isaac Adeniran Adesanmi, a great-grandfather who traveled to the NUD Primary School Collation Centre, Unit 1, Ward 4, Ilase-Ijesa, in the Obokun Local Government Area.
Brought to the polling station by his relatives, Adesanmi patiently waited after the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) initially failed to recognize his face and fingerprints. INEC officials later assured him that another attempt would be made.
Adesanmi, whose name was listed as number 116 on the voters’ register, shared that he has been voting since the era of the late Chief Obafemi Awolowo. “I am 97 years old, and I started voting during Awolowo’s time. I always vote whenever elections come up. I have been voting in Kaduna before I returned home,” he stated.
He encouraged young Nigerians to maintain their interest in elections, emphasizing that voting is a crucial means of influencing the quality of leadership in the country.
Lawmaker, others arrested
A significant development in security was the arrest of Hon. Abiola Ibrahim Inaolaji, a serving member of the Osun State House of Assembly, alongside 146 suspected electoral mercenaries in Ikire, located in the Irewole Local Government Area.
Inaolaji, who represents the Irewole/Isokan State Constituency, was reportedly taken into custody at his residence during an early-morning joint operation conducted by security operatives.
The Osun State Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Abiodun Ojelabi, confirmed the arrest, stating it was part of intensified operations aimed at preventing activities that could undermine the election.
According to the police, approximately 200 Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) were recovered from the lawmaker’s home. A video released after the arrest showed Inaolaji identifying himself and claiming that he facilitated the movement of 146 suspects into Osun from neighboring states to participate in the election. The police indicated that these allegations are under investigation.
Ojelabi informed journalists, “He was arrested in Ikire with about 146 suspected mercenaries in the early hours of Saturday.”
In a separate operation, operatives from the Anti-Robbery Section and Violent Crime Response Unit apprehended 33 suspected electoral mercenaries at Babs Hotel, located behind the State High Court in Ede.
Preliminary investigations suggested that these suspects had been brought into Osun State from Ondo State for alleged unlawful electoral activities, with four voter cards reportedly recovered from them.
The suspects purportedly told investigators that an unidentified politician recruited them and promised financial compensation for their participation in the election. Police stated that investigations are ongoing to establish the identities and roles of those behind this alleged operation.
ADC candidate’s polling unit attacked
At Ward 4, Unit 13, Oke-Odo, Ejigbo, turmoil erupted shortly after the governorship candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Dr. Najeem Salaam, cast his vote.
Suspected political thugs allegedly invaded the polling unit, forcing voters and electoral officials to flee, thereby disrupting accreditation and voting. The attackers were also said to have stolen ballot papers and other sensitive electoral materials.
Eyewitnesses reported that the assailants were led by a person identified as “Big Hammer,” though his identity and political affiliation could not be independently verified.
The ADC alleged that the attack was specifically aimed at Salaam and accused supporters of the All Progressives Congress (APC) of orchestrating the incident. The party characterised the development as an alleged assassination attempt on its candidate, although Salaam was unharmed.
As of the time of this report, there had been no immediate independent confirmation of the assassination allegation or the political affiliation of the attackers. The Osun State Police Command had yet to issue an official statement regarding the incident.
Prior to the altercation, Salaam had raised concerns about the alleged non-recognition of ADC agents in several parts of the state. Upon arriving at his polling unit at approximately 10:39 a.m., he stated that he had received reports indicating that some of his party’s agents were not being acknowledged by electoral officials, despite having their names uploaded ahead of the election.
He claimed that this issue affected ADC agents in around 10 local government areas, prompting the party to notify the relevant authorities.
Salaam urged electoral officials to ensure that all accredited agents could perform their duties and that voters were granted the freedom to select their preferred candidates.
He also dismissed allegations of vote-buying by the ADC, stating, “We converse with the people, we let them know our programs, and that is exactly what we do. Vote buying is out of the question. I have never, in my life, bought votes.”
Tension in Modakeke
Tension was reported in Modakeke, where voting was disrupted at Ward 10 and Ward 3 following allegations that a group of men dressed in police uniforms tear-gassed voters and made off with some ballot boxes.
This incident reportedly angered voters, prompting some to protest openly and voice their curses towards the alleged perpetrators, describing the act as an attack on democracy.
Details regarding the identity of the alleged attackers and the exact number of ballot boxes taken remained unclear as of the time of reporting.
This development heightened concerns among voters and observers about the security of electoral materials and the ability of security agencies to protect polling units.
Traditional rulers administer oaths to gladiators
Ahead of the election, traditional rulers in Ibokun and Imesi-Ile, both located in the Obokun Local Government Area, administered traditional oaths to political actors and other stakeholders in an effort to prevent violence before, during, and after the polls.
This traditional intervention included the invocation of sanctions against anyone attempting to disrupt the election or cause violence.
Prince Diran Odeyemi, a resident and National Treasurer of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), who spoke during the exercise, stated that the traditional rulers had made it clear that anyone who disturbed the peace or caused a crisis would face consequences from the oath.
Odeyemi noted that the state had witnessed disturbing incidents during the pre-election period but expressed optimism that the will of the people would prevail.
“We are all aware of the killings, especially those targeted at Accord members, and we thank God for the governor’s mindset, which has avoided retaliation.
“Today is the D-Day. We’ve received reports of skirmishes here and there, but we believe the will of the people will win out. We pray that the peace we enjoy in Osun will return fully after the election.”
He mentioned that voting in Ibokun was progressing peacefully, with electoral materials available at polling units and encouraging voter turnout.
“I know of Ibokun and Imesi-Ile. They both vowed, through the traditional oath, to maintain peace. So, based on this, we do not expect any crisis,” he added.
Large turnout despite fears
Across Ejigbo, Ilesa, Ede, Iragbiji, Ile-Ife, Ikire, Osogbo, and other parts of the state, voters were seen arriving at polling units early, many checking their names on the displayed registers ahead of accreditation.
In Ejigbo, a significant number of voters were observed at various polling units, including Ward 4, Unit 1, Balogun, where the electorate conducted themselves peacefully.
At Ward 3, Unit 16, Iragbiji, in the Boripe Local Government Area, voters began arriving as early as 7:15 a.m., waiting for electoral officials and materials.
Similarly, in Ward 10, Unit 1, Oloti area of Iragbiji, where former governor and Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, was expected to vote, attendees arrived early and checked their names on the register.
In Ilesa West, voters at Ward 1, Unit 8, Idiroko/Itakogun were checking their details, while an INEC Assistant Presiding Officer, Festus Akinlolu, educated voters at Ward 8, Unit 3, on the voting procedure.
A large turnout was also reported at Ward 8, Unit 7, associated with former governor Rauf Aregbesola.
At Ede North, voters arrived early, with INEC ad hoc personnel preparing for accreditation and voting.
At the governor’s polling unit, Ward 4, Unit 9, voters and electoral officials were also ready for the exercise.
However, accreditation was temporarily delayed at Ward 5, Unit 12, Falaju Street, Ile-Ife, due to the polling venue being found locked.
The Presiding Officer, Said Oghnerume, explained that she arrived around 8:00 a.m. but could not begin the exercise because the key holder had not arrived. She mentioned that efforts were underway to open the venue and start the accreditation process.
Governor Ademola Adeleke, after casting his vote in Ede, expressed confidence in victory and alleged that the APC was preparing fake results to replace genuine polling-unit results.
The governor also claimed there were moves to relocate some local government collation centers to the state capital, a development he said could facilitate the manipulation of results.
“I have voted, and I urge the people of Osun to come out en masse to vote and defend their votes. Nobody can deny Osun people their rights to vote and be voted for,” Adeleke stated.
“We have it on good authority that Osun APC has written fake results for some local governments. The APC is looking for ways to swap the fake results with the original results.
“They plan to move some local government collation centres to the state capital so that they can swap the results. We will resist such moves.
“All collation must be done at each local government. Under no circumstances should the local government collation be taken to the state capital.”
Adeleke said he was confident of winning “with wide margins”, adding, “I have God and the people.
“Despite the threats, you can see the people came out. Some people came from Lagos and Ibadan to prove and cast their votes for Accord candidate, Senator Ademola Adeleke,” he said.
The APC governorship candidate, Asiwaju Munirudeen Bola Oyebamiji, who voted in Ikire, commended the large turnout, saying it showed that voters were not intimidated.
He also commended the presence of INEC officials and security personnel and urged security agencies to remain proactive throughout the exercise.
Oyebamiji expressed confidence in victory and said he trusted the police to investigate and take appropriate action over the arrest of a politician reportedly found with electoral materials.
Also, the APC deputy governorship candidate, Kayode Adereti, who voted at Ward 11, Unit 3, Ilare, Ife Central, described the turnout as impressive and praised the security arrangements and performance of BVAS.
“The turnout is impressive, and the security is perfect. The BVAS is working well, and everyone is happy here,” Adereti said.
He urged eligible voters to participate and called on political parties and their supporters to maintain peace, allowing voters to make their choices freely.
The National Secretary of the APC, Senator Ajibola Basiru, and his wife, Mrs. Abibat Basiru, voted at Ward 7, Unit 3, Osogbo Local Government Area, around 8:45 a.m.
Basiru commended INEC for the timely deployment of election materials and personnel and praised security agencies for maintaining order at polling centers. He expressed optimism that the election would be free, fair, and credible while predicting victory for his party.
Senator Francis Fadahunsi, who represents Osun East Senatorial District, voted at approximately 10:48 a.m. at the NUD Primary School polling center in Ilase-Ijesa. He urged residents to come out and vote, stating, “Please, come out; there is no cause for alarm.”
Mixed reactions were reported from various polling units. At Ward 3, Unit 1, Ejigbo, former Federal Commissioner representing Osun State at the National Population Commission, Senator Mudashiru Husain, noted that the situation at his polling unit remained calm: “Everything is calm. Since the beginning of this exercise, things have been peaceful everywhere.”
However, another voter at the same location raised concerns about the failure of the BVAS system to capture or accredit some voters, particularly those using old voter cards.
They also reported that some voters who had not changed their voting locations were unable to find their names on the register. This voter appealed to INEC to quickly address these technical issues and voter registration problems to prevent disenfranchisement.
In Ibokun, Adewumi Irekandu described the situation as manageable and under control. “The two major parties contesting today are the Accord and the APC. We are working to ensure familiarity so that there won’t be any hiccups along the way. As of now, the situation is still manageable and under control,” he said.
Irekandu noted that security agents were visible around the polling unit and expressed hope that they would remain until the end of the exercise. He also reported encouraging voter turnout and stated that the BVAS was functioning properly at his polling unit. According to him, fears stemming from previous threats did not deter voters from participating.
However, the Imole Campaign Council of Governor Adeleke, in a statement signed by its Chairman of the Media and Publicity Committee, Hon. Bamidele Salam, alleged that pressure was being applied to INEC to change established ward and local government collation centers.
The campaign council urged the Osun Resident Electoral Commissioner and other INEC officials to resist any pressure that could compromise the electoral process. They also called on security agencies, observers, and the media to closely monitor the collation process.
Governor Adeleke condemned the reported arrest of the Osun State PDP Chairman, Honourable Sunday Bisi, who was allegedly detained after voting. A statement from Adeleke’s spokesperson, Mallam Olawale Rasheed, indicated that Bisi was arrested at his residence in Ilesa shortly after returning from the polling unit.
The governor described the arrest as an attempt to intimidate political supporters and called for Bisi’s immediate release. Adeleke further alleged that the arrest was part of a broader plan to prevent his supporters from monitoring results at collation centers.
Meanwhile, security personnel maintained a strong presence across major routes and strategic locations in the state, with soldiers and other security operatives patrolling roads and manning checkpoints.
Voting concluded in many polling units across the state by around 2:30 p.m., although some voters were still in line to cast their votes after that time.
