Osun Election Showdown: Allegations, Arrests, and Crucial Polling Unit Wins

The Osun State governorship election is actively underway, marked by significant voter participation and the ongoing collation of results across the state's 30 local government areas. The contest features key political figures, with Bola Oyebamiji representing the All Progressives Congress (APC) and incumbent Governor Ademola Adeleke running under the Accord Party banner, alongside other candidates like Najeem Salaam of the African Democratic Congress (ADC).

The APC has secured victories in several prominent polling units, including that of its National Secretary, Senator Ajibola Basiru. At Polling Unit 003, Alagba, Osogbo, where Basiru cast his vote, APC candidate Bola Oyebamiji garnered 177 votes, significantly outperforming Accord Party's Ademola Adeleke, who received 60 votes. Other candidates, including ADC's Najeem Salaam, AA, YPP, and PRP, collectively secured a handful of votes. Following his vote, Senator Basiru lauded the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for the timely deployment of personnel and materials, and commended voters for their democratic commitment and security agencies for maintaining order.

Further bolstering the APC's early performance, the party also won the polling unit of former Osun State Governor and ex-Interim National Chairman, Chief Bisi Akande. At his polling unit in Ita Atewogbade II, Isedo II Registration Area, Ila Local Government Area, the APC secured 181 votes, establishing a 60-vote lead over the Accord Party, which received 121 votes. This unit recorded 305 valid votes out of 316 ballots accounted for, with a voter turnout of approximately 47.3 percent. The outcome highlights the impact of political realignments within the state, particularly the movement of Governor Adeleke and parts of his former Peoples Democratic Party structure to the Accord Party.

The APC deputy governorship candidate, Kayode Adereti, also expressed satisfaction with the electoral process after casting his vote at Ward 11, Unit 3, Ilare, Ife Central Local Government Area. He praised the impressive voter turnout, the peaceful security arrangements, and the smooth performance of the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS). Adereti encouraged all eligible voters to participate and urged political parties and their supporters to maintain peace and order throughout the election.

Meanwhile, INEC continues its process of uploading results to its Result Viewing Portal (IReV). As of 5:30 PM on Saturday, results from 1,386 out of 3,763 polling units had been uploaded, representing 36.83 percent of the total. The latest upload was recorded at 5:24:33 PM, with the IReV platform providing transparency and access to polling unit-level results for voters, political parties, and observers.

Security during the election saw one notable incident: an officer of the Osun State Police Command was arrested following an accidental discharge of tear gas at the Registration Area Centre (RAC) in Modakeke Ward 10, Ife East Local Government Area. The Command swiftly clarified via an official statement on X that the incident occurred at the RAC, not a polling unit, and was due to personal negligence, not an intentional disruption of the electoral process. The police strongly condemned the act, confirmed the officer's arrest and the initiation of disciplinary proceedings, reiterating that security personnel are prohibited from bearing arms within a designated radius of voting points. The Command apologized to affected residents and observers, pledging to ensure a peaceful environment.

However, allegations of intimidation and attacks also surfaced. Senator Lere Oyewumi, Director-General of the Imole Campaign Council for the Accord Party, claimed that 52 individuals were arrested at the residence of lawmaker Ibrahim Inaolaji in Ikire. He alleged that police officers stormed the residence, damaged the gate, and arrested family members, supporters, and the Accord Party chairman. Oyewumi also reported alleged attacks by suspected thugs on Accord Party agents and voters at polling units in Ikire, including an incident at Orieru Polling Unit and St Joseph Primary School. These allegations had not been independently verified at the time of reporting, but Oyewumi stated he had contacted police and military authorities regarding the incidents.