Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke leads challenger Bola Oyebamiji in the governorship election, with 87.5% of polling units reporting results, while allegations of vote-buying and irregularities persist.
With 3,292 of 3,763 polling units reporting results as of last night, Governor Ademola Adeleke of the Accord Party holds a lead over All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate Bola Oyebamiji in the tightly contested Osun State governorship election. Adeleke secured 439,132 votes compared to Oyebamiji’s 379,255, according to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). The results, however, come amid claims of vote-buying, irregularities, and a disputed plan to declare the election inconclusive.
Adeleke’s Early Lead and Key Polling Unit Wins
Adeleke’s lead is evident in critical polling units, including those of political figures. He defeated former governor Olagunsoye Oyinlola in Odo-Otin LGA, where Oyinlola had pledged support for Oyebamiji. At PU 003, Adeleke received 125 votes to Oyebamiji’s 85. Similarly, APC candidate Oyebamiji recorded a landslide win at the polling unit of former Osun Governor Rauf Aregbesola, where APC polled 256 votes to defeat Adeleke, who scored 43 votes.
In Ife East LGA, at PU 003, Adeleke secured 131 votes against Oyebamiji’s 85, while in Oriade LGA, he tallied 21,343 votes to Oyebamiji’s 14,863. The governor also won key areas like Ede North, where he received 421 votes at PU 009, sparking celebrations among supporters.
Allegations of Vote-Buying and Ballot Paper Shortages
The election was marred by reports of vote-buying, with political parties offering between N20,000 and N30,000 to induce voters. Agents of the frontline parties were seen monitoring polling units to ensure votes were cast for their candidates. In Ejigbo, the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) were on the ground to prevent inducements, while in some polling units, voters cited a shortage of ballot papers.
One political party allegedly gave between N2m and N5m to top security officers in each of the LGAs. Reports indicated that N50,000 was given to each voter in some polling units in Ilesa East Local Government Area. In Ejigbo, bundles of cash were seized from an agent of a party buying votes, and a viral video showed voters confronting a party’s agent at PU 11, Ward 8, in Olorunda Local Government Area.
INEC Cancellations and Disputed Results
INEC canceled results from two polling units in Ife Central LGA due to over-voting. At PU 11 and PU 17, the commission cited irregularities. Meanwhile, voting did not take place at PU 14 in Ife Central after voters refused to participate, claiming a shortage of ballot papers.
The Imole Campaign Council (ICC), representing the Accord Party, alleged a plot by INEC to declare the election inconclusive to “hijack” Adeleke’s victory. ICC chairman Bamidele Salam stated, Our party wishes to inform Nigerians of a sinister plan by INEC to declare the ongoing governorship election inconclusive, to hijack our candidate’s victory and subvert the will of the gallant Osun electorate.
Security Concerns and Accusations of APC Involvement
The ICC called on the IGP, DSS DG, and NSCDC Commandant-General to provide security at all collation centres, accusing the APC of hiring “hoodlums” to disrupt the process. Salam urged security agencies to stop hoodlums hired by the APC.
Security agents struggled to curb vote-buying, with one unnamed officer admitting, I tried to prevent the agents from loitering around the polling booths but my efforts proved abortive.
The ICC also urged local and international observers to speak out on the side of the law and people of Osun State.
What Comes Next: Uncertainty and Pending Outcomes
With the majority of results uploaded as of press time, the outcome continues as INEC proceeds with collation. The ICC’s allegations of a “sinister plan” to declare the election inconclusive add to the tension, while vote-buying scandals persist.
