By Opeyemi Adelakun
As voting winds down across Osun State, Saturday’s governorship election has been marked by a series of significant developments ranging from strong voter turnout and successful voting in many areas to accreditation delays, political accusations, violence and security controversies.
With results expected to begin emerging from polling units before collation at the various levels, here are the major developments that have shaped the election so far.
- Voters Turned Out Across Osun
Large numbers of voters arrived at polling units in several parts of Osun from the early hours of Saturday to participate in the governorship election.
Reports from Ede, Osogbo, Ila, Ikire, Ilesa, Oriade and other areas showed voters waiting for election officials and materials before accreditation and voting commenced.
Starnewsng also reported early voter turnout, accreditation activities and voting by candidates across the state.
- Adeleke Cast His Vote And Raised Rigging Allegation
Governor Ademola Adeleke, who is seeking another term under the Accord Party, cast his ballot at his polling unit in Ede North.
After voting, Adeleke alleged that the APC was attempting to rig the election and accused the police of aiding the party instead of maintaining neutrality.
The allegation remains a claim by the governor and had not been independently established.
- Oyebamiji Also Voted As APC Mobilised Across The State
The APC governorship candidate, Bola Oyebamiji, was among the major contenders who cast his ballot during the election.
The presence of APC governors, senators and other prominent party figures in Osun also became a subject of political debate as voting continued.
Several APC chieftains subsequently commended voter turnout and described the exercise in their areas as peaceful.
- ADC Candidate Najeem Salaam’s Polling Unit Was Disrupted
One of the most serious incidents occurred at the polling unit of ADC governorship candidate Najeem Salaam in Ejigbo.
Suspected thugs reportedly invaded the area shortly after Salaam and his wife cast their ballots, causing panic among voters, journalists, observers and INEC officials.
Salaam was whisked away by his security operatives as the situation became tense, while some voters fled the area.
- Claims Of Vote Buying Emerged
Reports also surfaced of alleged vote buying in parts of Osun as political parties competed for support.
Voters and observers raised concerns over activities around some polling locations, although individual allegations require independent verification before being treated as established facts.
The issue became part of the wider political contest over the credibility of the election.
- BVAS Glitches Slowed Accreditation In Some Areas
The Bimodal Voter Accreditation System recorded difficulties at some polling units.
At Ojude Ala I polling unit in Ila Local Government Area, only 75 of 342 registered voters had reportedly been accredited at the time of the update because of repeated BVAS glitches.
The development frustrated voters and delayed the voting process.
Other reports also showed voters waiting for accreditation because of difficulties with election technology.
- A Large Crowd Gathered At Akanni’s Polling Unit
A particularly large crowd was reported at the polling unit of federal lawmaker Clement Akanni in Ila/Boluwaduro/Ifedayo Federal Constituency.
It was gathered that the unit had 1,133 registered voters and witnessed a rowdy scene as voters jostled around the BVAS accreditation process.
- Fadahunsi’s “Monitor Their Ballots” Remark Drew Criticism
Senator Francis Fadahunsi came under renewed criticism after he was captured in a video telling supporters to “monitor their ballot”.
He was also heard saying, “Whoever does not vote appropriately…” before continuing with further instructions.
The Imole Campaign Council condemned the remarks as “scandalous, unacceptable and undemocratic”, accusing the senator of attempting to intimidate voters and influence their choices.
The full context and intention behind the remarks remain subjects of political dispute.
- Adeleke’s Camp Accused Security Agencies Of Intimidation
The Imole Campaign Council accused security agencies of intimidation and alleged partisan conduct during the election.
The council claimed that soldiers raided the residences of some Accord Party leaders, particularly in Osun East Senatorial District, and alleged that more than 15 trucks of soldiers were involved.
The claims were serious but had not been independently verified at the time of reporting.
- Soldiers Took Positions Around The INEC Office
Armed soldiers were reported to have barricaded roads around the INEC office along Abere Road in Osogbo.
According to the reports, military personnel stopped and searched motorists using the route, while some residents were prevented from proceeding to their destinations.
The development added to concerns over the heavy security presence surrounding the election.
- Police Arrested Suspected Voters And An Accord Lawmaker
Police were also reported to have arrested 146 suspected voters and an Accord Party lawmaker during the election.
The development generated further political tension, particularly among supporters of the ruling camp, who raised concerns about the conduct of security agencies.
The circumstances surrounding the arrests remained subject to official clarification.
- Police Tear Gas Incident Triggered Panic In Modakeke
Another major development occurred in Modakeke, where tear gas was discharged at a Registration Area Centre.
The incident sparked panic and generated viral videos showing angry residents confronting police officers.
The Osun State Police Command later said the discharge was accidental and resulted from the negligence of an officer who was attempting to ease himself.
The command said the officer had been arrested and disciplinary proceedings initiated.
Police also stressed that the incident occurred at a Registration Area Centre and not at a polling unit.
- Political Agents Raised Complaints Over Access And Recognition
ADC candidate Najeem Salaam also raised concerns over the alleged non-recognition of some of his party agents during the election.
The complaint added to a series of disputes involving party agents and the administration of the poll.
Such complaints are significant because accredited party agents are expected to observe proceedings and monitor the counting and recording of votes.
- Agent Clustering Caused Tension At Ikire
Tension was reported at a polling unit in Ikire after some voters complained that party agents were clustering around the ballot booth.
Security personnel intervened to calm the situation as voters raised concerns about the proximity and activities of party agents.
The incident was among several localised disputes reported during voting.
- Results Are Now The Next Major Test
With voting progressing towards completion, attention is shifting from accreditation and voting to counting, recording and collation.
The next crucial stage will be the transparent counting of ballots at polling units, followed by the movement of results through the prescribed collation process.
This is where the competing claims of political parties, allegations of intimidation and concerns about the conduct of the election will face their most important test.
The election has so far produced a mixed picture: strong voter participation in several areas, relatively smooth voting in some polling units, but also technological problems, localised violence, political accusations and security controversies.
As polling units close and results begin to emerge, the credibility of the process will increasingly depend on whether votes cast by Osun residents are accurately counted, properly documented and transparently collated.
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