Follow Us on Google
• Poll records massive voter-turnout • Allegations of plot to disrupt voting, intimidation trail exercise
From Omoniyi Salaudeen and Lateef Dada, Osogbo
Polling units record large turnout of voters across Osun
A large turnout of voters was observed across Osun State as voters trooped out to elect a governor that will serve the state between November 27, 2026 and November 2030.
At ward 01, unit 10, Oloti area in Iragbiji Boripe Local Government Area, where the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola voted, early arrival of voters and electoral officers was observed.
A voter, Yinusa Rafiu, alerted electoral officers that his name was missing on the list. He said names of his brothers and sisters appeared at the usual place but his name was missing.
At Ward 5 unit 16, Ago Igbira Oke, Odeomu, Ayedade Local Government Area, a police officer who spoke with Sunday Sun, said INEC ad-hoc staff arrived at 7:30 am and voting commenced at exactly 8am. While voting was in progress, eligible voters queued up in an orderly manner and took turns to cast their ballots.
There was no case of BVAS malfunction. INEC ad-hoc staff used a power bank to power the machine to prevent the battery from running down. At Ward 5, unit 15, Oronna, Odeomu, Ayedade Local Government, an aggrieved voter, Mr Olodo Mofutau Olatunji, complained that he was not allowed to vote despite that his name was on the voters’ list because he could not present his voter card. According to him, he applied for the replacement of his voter card but could not get it until election day arrived. However, voting progressed orderly. The situation was the same at polling unit 018, Olufi High school, where there was also a large turnout of voters.
At Ward 4, unit 11, Ajuewe, Edo South, voting started at 8: 30 and progressed peacefully without any incident. It was, however, an unusual scene at Unit 10, ward 4, in the same local government where there were 190 voters with only one BVAS working. Despite the long queue, voters maintained their positions and took turns to cast their ballots.
Contrary to fears of possible violence, the election proceeded peacefully in Irewole Local Government Area.
At about 9:45am when Sunday Sun visited Ward 9, Unit 3, AUD Primary School, Ikire, there was a large turnout of voters. Voting was going on peacefully and in an orderly manner. Some of the voters who spoke with our correspondent confirmed that election materials arrived on time and that the process was peaceful.
Similarly, at Ward 9, Unit 11, Gantry Open Space, Ikire, enthusiastic voters queued up for accreditation before proceeding to cast their ballots.
An 80-year-old woman, who spoke with Sunday Sun, described the voting process as “smooth, peaceful and orderly.”
Governor Adeleke’s polling unit witness early arrival of voters, officials
Early arrival of voters and INEC ad-hoc staff was observed at Unit 9, ward 2 of Ede-North LG, the polling unit of Governor Ademola Adeleke.
Voters arrived at Ward 5, Unit 12, Falaju Street, Ile-Ife, as early as 8am but the venue was locked thereby causing delays of accreditation.
The Presiding Officer disclosed that she arrived at the polling unit early but could not begin the process because the facility was under lock and key.
According to her, the individuals responsible for the key had not yet opened the venue, preventing election officials from setting up materials and starting voter accreditation. She added that active efforts were underway to open the building so the exercise could begin.
The delay left voters waiting outside the polling unit.
Adeleke casts vote, alerts security agencies of plot to disrupt polls in Ede
At about 9:12 am, Osun State governor, Ademola Adeleke who is seeking re-election under the Accord Party, voted in his polling unit, ward 2, unit 9, Abodunge/Sagba in Ede.
Speaking to journalists after casting his ballot the governor stated, “As of now, it is going well.”
He, however, raised security concerns, alleging that a police officer from Port Harcourt, known as “London,” had been brought into the state to disrupt the voting process and destabilise his hometown of Ede.
“I am calling on the Inspector-General of Police (IGP) and all security agencies to watch out for this police officer from Port Harcourt,” Adeleke said.
“I understand that the APC brought him to Osun State to carry out a hatchet job and cause disruption in my town, Ede, so that people will not be able to vote. I want the IGP, the Commissioner of Police for the election, the Deputy Inspector-General of Police for the election, and all security agencies to take note and do the needful. I also urge all my people in Ede to be vigilant.”
The governor also alleged a plot to subvert the electoral procedure during the transmission and collation phases.
“I also have it on good authority that they do not want to follow the normal process of moving from the polling units to the wards and then to the local governments. Instead, they want to take the process straight to the collation centre.
“This is not acceptable. They must follow the rules, and that is why I am alerting my people to watch out. I know that, by the special grace of God, I will win this election,” Adeleke said.
Oyetola says Osun known for peace
The Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, expressed confidence that the APC candidate, Bola Oyebamiji, will emerge victorious in the governorship election.
Oyetola made the declaration while speaking to journalists after casting his ballot at Ward 1, Unit 10, Oloti area in Iragbiji, Boripe Local Government Area.
Commending the security architecture across the state, the former governor noted that the exercise had been largely peaceful with an impressive turnout of voters.
“I commend the security agencies for doing a wonderful job. It has been peaceful all through, and the turnout has been very impressive.
“The presence of the military and policemen is to ensure security and encourage people to go out and vote,” Oyetola said.
Emphasising Osun’s reputation for tranquillity, he added, “Our state is known for peace. I don’t know why voting, which is a normal process, should create any issue at all.”
Oyetola expressed satisfaction with the high level of citizen participation, interpreting it as an endorsement of progressive governance in the state.
“I’m impressed, and I thank our people for coming out en masse to vote for their candidate, which I believe is us. This is a progressive state, and particularly where I am here, there is no reason why people should not come out.
“We have actually enjoyed the dividends of democracy all over the state, and people are yearning for continuity. Therefore, the most appropriate thing is for them to turn out en masse and vote, so they can confirm that this is the kind of government they want. It is a normal four-year process. My candidate will win by the grace of God,” Oyetola added.
APC candidate Bola Oyebamiji confident, commends INEC, security agencies
The governorship candidate of the APC, Bola Oyebamiji, expressed optimism of securing victory in the governorship election.
Speaking shortly after casting his ballot at Unit 11, Ward 9, Open Space Gantry in Ikire, Oyebamiji commended the efficient conduct of Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) officials and the heavy presence of security operatives.
“INEC is here, voters are here, and security operatives are here,” Oyebamiji said. “I want to commend the large turnout of voters in Ikire; it shows that people are not intimidated, and generally, things are going on fine across the state.”
Addressing potential security concerns regarding rumoured violence in Ikire later in the day, the APC candidate called on the police and other security agencies to remain proactive in safeguarding citizens and voters to ensure a credible process.
Reacting to the arrest of a politician linked to electoral mercenaries in the area, Oyebamiji expressed trust in the legal and investigative process, adding, “I want to assure you that the police will do their job, and I am confident that I will win this election at the end of the day.”
Police arrest lawmaker, recover 200 PVCs
The Osun State Police Command said it arrested a serving member of the State House of Assembly, Abiola Ibrahim Inaolaji, along with 146 others, identified as suspected electoral mercenaries camped at his residence in Ikire.
The police said the lawmaker, who represents the Irewole/Isokan State Constituency was apprehended during a targeted police operation on Friday night. The command also said it recovered more than 200 Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) at the scene.
According to the police, preliminary investigations indicated that the suspects were transported from Ondo State to participate in the election.
The Command’s Spokesperson, Abiodun Ojelabi, stated that a full-scale investigation had been launched.
He noted that efforts are underway to track down other fleeing accomplices and unravel the entire network behind the recruitment of the electoral mercenaries and voter inducement scheme.
Oyewumi condemns arrest of party members, alleges intimidation in Ikire
The Director-General of the Accord Party Campaign Council, Senator Lere Oyewumi, condemned the arrest of 52 individuals at the residence of the lawmaker representing the Irewole/Isokan State Constituency, Ibrahim Inaolaji, labelling the incident as an act of political intimidation and harassment.
Police operatives had earlier arrested scores of individuals at Inaolaji’s residence in the early hours of Saturday, recovering multiple Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) at the scene.
Addressing journalists at his polling unit, Unit 9, SS Peter and Paul, Sumoye Primary School in Ikire, the senator representing Osun East said that roughly 24 police officers stormed the lawmaker’s residence at midnight, forced open the gate, and detained 52 people, including the local government chairman of the Accord Party. He disclosed that those arrested were later transferred to Osogbo.
According to Oyewumi, the people found in the house were visiting relatives from Ibadan who returned to participate in the election.
“The Inaolaji family is a very big family and they reside in Ibadan. Since their son is an honourable member, they used to come and register in Irewole Local Government. They were all around his house, eating and drinking. The policemen just stormed the house, destroyed the gate, and arrested about 52 people there, including the local government chairman of Accord,” Oyewumi said.
The campaign DG further alleged a pattern of targeted arrests aimed at crippling the Accord Party’s grassroots mobilisation ahead of the vote, claiming that the party’s Ward 6 chairman and a prominent youth leader had been similarly detained in recent days without justifiable cause.
In addition to the arrests, Oyewumi reported outbreaks of violence across multiple polling units in Ikire shortly after voting commenced, accusing political thugs of assaulting Accord Party agents and voters.
He cited incidents at the Orieru Polling Unit in Ward 1 and at St. Joseph Primary School (Units 1 and 2), where a voter was allegedly beaten and briefly abducted before being released.
Oyewumi noted that he had reached out to both police and military commanders to report the security breaches, while expressing deep concern over the failure of security personnel to pre-empt or halt the attacks.
APC deputy governorship candidate hails voter turnout, smooth BVAS operation
The All Progressives Congress (APC) deputy governorship candidate, Kayode Adereti, described the voter turnout as impressive while commending the security arrangements and the smooth performance of the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS).
Adereti, who spoke to journalists after casting his ballot at Ward 11, Unit 3, Ilare in Ife Central, noted that the electoral process has been largely peaceful, with citizens stepping out in large numbers to exercise their civic duty.
He expressed satisfaction with the efficiency of the BVAS machines, stating that accreditation was moving seamlessly and that voters were pleased with the conduct of the exercise.
“The turnout is impressive, and the security is perfect. The BVAS is working well, and everyone is happy here,” Adereti said.
Adereti’s positive assessment stands in contrast to the earlier pre-election anxieties regarding potential violence and disruptions, as stakeholders continue to urge calm while voting and collation proceed.
