Adeleke Takes Early Lead in Osun Governorship Poll as INEC Collates 87.5% of Results

OSOGBO — Governor Ademola Adeleke of the Accord Party opened a significant lead over All Progressives Congress candidate, Mr. Bola Oyebamiji, in the Osun State governorship election on Saturday, as the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, collated results from the majority of polling units.

With results from 3,292 of 3,763 polling units, representing 87.5 percent, uploaded to the INEC Result Viewing Portal as of press time, Adeleke had secured 439,132 votes to Oyebamiji’s 379,255 votes.

The election recorded a high voter turnout but was marred by widespread allegations of vote-buying, pockets of violence, and operational challenges.

*Early leads at key polling units*

Adeleke won his polling unit, Ward 02, PU 009, Abogunde Compound, Ede North Local Government Area, with 421 votes. He also secured victory at the polling units of former Deputy Governor, Senator Iyiola Omisore, in Ife East, and former Governor, Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola, in Okuku, Odo-Otin LGA.

Oyebamiji, however, recorded a decisive win at the polling unit of former Governor, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, in Ilesa, where the APC polled 256 votes to the Accord Party’s 43 votes. Aregbesola, National Secretary of the African Democratic Congress, ADC, supported ADC candidate, Dr. Najeem Salaam, who polled 13 votes at the unit.

*Allegations of irregularities*

The Imole Campaign Council, ICC, alleged on Saturday that there were plans to declare the election inconclusive in order to overturn Adeleke’s lead. In a statement, ICC Media Chairman, Mr. Bamidele Salam, urged INEC to uphold its commitment to a free and credible process and called on security agencies to provide protection at collation centres.

Civil society observers also raised concerns. The Nigeria Civil Society Situation Room reported instances of vote-buying and inducement, including the distribution of food and drinks in Isokan LGA, which it said undermined the credibility of the poll.

The European Union Support to Democratic Governance in Nigeria Election Observation Hub documented 323 electoral offences and 38 security incidents from reports by 823 observers across the state’s 30 LGAs. The infractions included 103 cases of vote trading, 85 cases of exposed ballots, and 31 cases of voter obstruction. The group also reported that 58 BVAS devices, 7.9 percent of those observed, malfunctioned, with 41 later rectified.

INEC registered 2,339,233 voters for the election, of whom 1,906,390, or 81.5 percent, collected Permanent Voter Cards.

*Vote-buying and security operations*
Correspondents observed party agents stationed around polling booths in Ikire, Irewole LGA, allegedly to monitor voting. Voters were reportedly offered between N20,000 and N30,000 to vote for specific candidates. Operatives of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission, ICPC, were deployed to monitor polling units in Ejigbo.

*Violence reported*

ADC governorship candidate, Dr. Najeem Salaam, said he escaped an attack at Ward 4, Unit 13, Ejigbo, shortly after voting. His party said residents intervened to prevent further escalation. Journalists covering the election in Ejigbo also reported that their vehicles were attacked, forcing a temporary suspension of voting at one unit.

Governor Adeleke condemned the arrest of Osun PDP Chairman, Mr. Sunday Bisi, at his Ilesa residence after voting, describing it as an intimidation of opposition supporters.

A brief confrontation also occurred at the polling unit of Deputy Governor, Prince Kola Adewusi, in Ile-Ife, following the arrival of APC deputy governorship candidate, Mr. Benjamin Adereti. Calm was later restored.

*Voter participation*

Despite the challenges, participation was notable among elderly voters. Chief Ramon Busari, 80, the Oluode of Ejigbo, and Pa Isaac Adeniran Adesanmi, 97, of Obokun LGA, both cast their ballots and urged young people to exercise their civic duty.

Collation of results was ongoing at the time of filing this report.