Osun Election Tensions Mount: Adeleke Campaign Cries Foul Amidst Davido's Outcry Over Halting Results!

The Osun State governorship election was characterized by intense political activity, allegations of misconduct, and calls for transparency as residents went to the polls. Ahead of the election, focus was on ensuring a peaceful, credible, and widely accepted outcome among the 15 contesting parties, with three leading contenders dominating the race.

Amidst the voting process, the Imole Campaign Council, representing Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke, urged security agencies to investigate alleged voter intimidation involving Senator Francis Fadahunsi. A video reportedly showed Senator Fadahunsi addressing All Progressives Congress (APC) supporters at his polling unit, instructing them to monitor how voters cast their ballots. The campaign council deemed his conduct as “scandalous, unacceptable and undemocratic,” calling for immediate intervention from security agencies and recalling a prior controversy involving the senator's remarks about the Accord Party.

As results began to be collated, Governor Adeleke appealed to President Bola Tinubu to prevent alleged attempts by “desperate and rejected politicians” to disrupt or hijack collation centers. He specifically requested President Tinubu to issue a clear warning to security agency heads in Osun State, emphasizing the need to protect the electoral process and ensure the safety of the people. Adeleke stressed that reports of such interference were deeply concerning, especially given the significant deployment of security personnel.

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) faced pressure regarding the upload of election results to its Result Viewing Portal (IReV). Afrobeats singer David Adeleke, popularly known as Davido, repeatedly called on INEC to expedite the upload of outstanding results, alleging that any delay could signal manipulation. He urged voters to remain vigilant at polling units until results were uploaded and figures were entered on the electronic EC8A form.

The governorship candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Najeem Salaam, expressed confidence in winning the election if the process was free and fair, citing a strong desire for change among the people of Osun. However, Salaam also voiced concerns over alleged irregularities, including reports of widespread manipulation and the exclusion of ADC agents from various polling units, which he argued could undermine the election's transparency and credibility. He dismissed allegations of vote buying against his party and called for peaceful vigilance from voters.

Early results showed Governor Ademola Adeleke taking a significant lead. Based on figures from 14 of the state's 30 local government areas, Adeleke, running as the candidate of Accord Party, secured 268,957 votes, leading the APC candidate, Bola Oyebamiji, who had 204,809 votes. This gave Adeleke a difference of 64,148 votes, with victories in nine LGAs, while the APC won five. Notably, Adeleke performed strongly in Ede North, Osogbo, Ede South, and Iwo, while the APC won in Irepodun, Obokun, Ola-Oluwa, Atakunmosa East, and Ife South. It was noted that the overall winner could not be determined from these partial results.

Reacting to the emerging results, Davido mocked the APC as his uncle, Governor Adeleke, gained an early lead, claiming the APC had lost the ward of former Osun State Governor Bisi Akande. Meanwhile, Adeleke’s Imole Campaign Council alleged plans by INEC to declare the election inconclusive, viewing it as a move to frustrate Adeleke's imminent victory and subvert the will of the electorate. The council urged observers to be alert and called on security agencies to provide adequate protection at collation centers to prevent subversion of the process by alleged hoodlums.