Adeleke, Oyebamiji In Tight Osun Race As Results Trickle In
The Osun State governorship election ended on Saturday with the incumbent governor, Ademola Adeleke of the Accord Party, and the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate, Munirudeen Bola Oyebamiji, locked in a closely fought contest as results continued to emerge across the state.
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) had uploaded results from 3,292 of the 3,763 polling units in the state on its Result Viewing (IReV) portal, representing 87.48 per cent of the total. Results from 471 polling units, or 12.52 per cent, were yet to be uploaded as of the latest update.
The incomplete figures meant that the winner could not immediately be determined as collation continued.
Early results showed both major contenders recording victories in different polling units.
In Osogbo, Accord secured 164 votes against APC's 50 at the Technical College Polling Unit, Ataoja Ward E. At Primary School Polling Unit, Igbaye Ward 1, Odo-Otin Local Government Area, Accord also led with 164 votes to APC's 134.
Accord recorded another advantage in Ifedayo LGA, polling 182 votes against APC's 114 at Centre Maternity Polling Unit, Oke-Ila 1. However, APC won at Balogun Ward SDA Primary School with 128 votes to Accord's 105 and also prevailed at Aworo/Oke-Ila Grammar School II, where it scored 146 votes against 110.
In Ede North LGA, Accord secured 357 votes against APC's 94 at Amosun Compound Polling Unit, while it also led 218 to 78 at Olognagbaakin Polling Unit, Odumaye Square.
At Market Square Polling Unit in Oriade LGA, Accord polled 159 votes against APC's 139, while in Ejigbo LGA, Accord won 78 votes to APC's 54 at Open Space BAA-Isale Area.
Governor Adeleke himself secured 421 votes at Ward 02, Polling Unit 009, Abogunde Compound, Ede North.
The election also produced mixed fortunes for prominent political figures.
Former governor and ex-APC Interim National Chairman, Chief Bisi Akande, won his polling unit at Ita Atewogbade II, Ila LGA, where APC scored 181 votes.
Former governor Rauf Aregbesola, however, lost his polling unit in Ilesa East LGA, where APC polled 256 votes against Accord's 43 and ADC's 13.
Former governor Olagunsoye Oyinlola also lost his polling unit at Okuku, Odo-Otin LGA, to Accord. Oyinlola had recently shifted his political support from Adeleke to Oyebamiji.
Heavy Turnout, Mostly Peaceful Poll
The election was generally peaceful, with strong voter turnout reported across the state's 30 local government areas despite a tense pre-election period marked by incidents of violence and inflammatory political rhetoric.
Fifteen political parties were listed on the ballot, although two candidates had withdrawn and subsequently endorsed candidates of the two leading parties.
Election observers described the exercise as an important test of Nigeria's electoral reforms ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The European Union Support to Democratic Governance in Nigeria Election Observation Hub, comprising several civil society organisations including Yiaga Africa and The Kukah Centre, said election officials had complete sensitive and non-sensitive materials in 726 of the 823 polling units observed.
The observers reported that 83.7 per cent of the polling units monitored received all required election materials between 7:30am and 8:00am.
However, some challenges were recorded with the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS).
According to the observers, 58 BVAS devices malfunctioned, although 41 were subsequently restored.
The group said voter turnout was impressive and that the election was largely peaceful and orderly, while noting alleged cases of voter intimidation at three polling units in Ejigbo and Osogbo.
Candidates Commend Conduct
Several political leaders praised the conduct of the election.
APC National Secretary, Senator Ajibola Basiru, commended INEC for the timely deployment of personnel and materials after voting in Osogbo.
APC leader in the state, Adegboyega Oyetola, also praised the turnout and urged voters to maintain peace before and after the declaration of results.
Oyebamiji, who voted in Irewole LGA, described the process as peaceful and commended voters, INEC officials and security personnel.
His wife, Dr Sekinah Oyebamiji, expressed confidence that her husband would emerge victorious.
Adeleke Raises Alarm
Governor Adeleke, who voted at his polling unit in Ede North, raised concerns over alleged plans by the APC to move results to a collation centre instead of collating them at the local government level.
He also alleged that a police officer identified as "London" had been brought from Port Harcourt to disrupt voting in Ede.
The allegation was part of the concerns raised by the governor during the voting process.
Violence, BVAS Glitches Reported
Despite the generally peaceful atmosphere, violence disrupted voting in parts of Ejigbo.
The incident reportedly followed the discovery of materials allegedly linked to vote-buying.
Tension escalated when individuals said to be connected to the materials reportedly attempted to take away a youth who had discovered them.
Residents, voters and election officials were seen fleeing the area as motorcycles and vehicles moved through the scene. It was not immediately clear whether anyone was injured.
BVAS-related difficulties were also recorded in several locations.
At Ward 3, Unit 6, Ijebu-Jesa, Oriade LGA, elderly voters reportedly experienced difficulties getting their faces captured by the BVAS, forcing them to wait and retry the process.
One of the affected voters, 71-year-old Ajayi Omopariola, said he was willing to wait despite the delay so he could exercise his right to vote.
Voters Await Final Verdict
Voters across Osun expressed mixed reactions, with many praising the turnout and peaceful conduct while others voiced concerns about the credibility of the electoral process.
Some voters also alleged attempts at vote-buying, although others described their polling units as free and peaceful.
With hundreds of polling-unit results still to be uploaded and collated, attention remained focused on INEC as the state awaited the final declaration of the winner between Adeleke and Oyebamiji.
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) had uploaded results from 3,292 of the 3,763 polling units in the state on its Result Viewing (IReV) portal, representing 87.48 per cent of the total. Results from 471 polling units, or 12.52 per cent, were yet to be uploaded as of the latest update.
The incomplete figures meant that the winner could not immediately be determined as collation continued.
Early results showed both major contenders recording victories in different polling units.
In Osogbo, Accord secured 164 votes against APC's 50 at the Technical College Polling Unit, Ataoja Ward E. At Primary School Polling Unit, Igbaye Ward 1, Odo-Otin Local Government Area, Accord also led with 164 votes to APC's 134.
Accord recorded another advantage in Ifedayo LGA, polling 182 votes against APC's 114 at Centre Maternity Polling Unit, Oke-Ila 1. However, APC won at Balogun Ward SDA Primary School with 128 votes to Accord's 105 and also prevailed at Aworo/Oke-Ila Grammar School II, where it scored 146 votes against 110.
In Ede North LGA, Accord secured 357 votes against APC's 94 at Amosun Compound Polling Unit, while it also led 218 to 78 at Olognagbaakin Polling Unit, Odumaye Square.
At Market Square Polling Unit in Oriade LGA, Accord polled 159 votes against APC's 139, while in Ejigbo LGA, Accord won 78 votes to APC's 54 at Open Space BAA-Isale Area.
Governor Adeleke himself secured 421 votes at Ward 02, Polling Unit 009, Abogunde Compound, Ede North.
The election also produced mixed fortunes for prominent political figures.
Former governor and ex-APC Interim National Chairman, Chief Bisi Akande, won his polling unit at Ita Atewogbade II, Ila LGA, where APC scored 181 votes.
Former governor Rauf Aregbesola, however, lost his polling unit in Ilesa East LGA, where APC polled 256 votes against Accord's 43 and ADC's 13.
Former governor Olagunsoye Oyinlola also lost his polling unit at Okuku, Odo-Otin LGA, to Accord. Oyinlola had recently shifted his political support from Adeleke to Oyebamiji.
Heavy Turnout, Mostly Peaceful Poll
The election was generally peaceful, with strong voter turnout reported across the state's 30 local government areas despite a tense pre-election period marked by incidents of violence and inflammatory political rhetoric.
Fifteen political parties were listed on the ballot, although two candidates had withdrawn and subsequently endorsed candidates of the two leading parties.
Election observers described the exercise as an important test of Nigeria's electoral reforms ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The European Union Support to Democratic Governance in Nigeria Election Observation Hub, comprising several civil society organisations including Yiaga Africa and The Kukah Centre, said election officials had complete sensitive and non-sensitive materials in 726 of the 823 polling units observed.
The observers reported that 83.7 per cent of the polling units monitored received all required election materials between 7:30am and 8:00am.
However, some challenges were recorded with the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS).
According to the observers, 58 BVAS devices malfunctioned, although 41 were subsequently restored.
The group said voter turnout was impressive and that the election was largely peaceful and orderly, while noting alleged cases of voter intimidation at three polling units in Ejigbo and Osogbo.
Candidates Commend Conduct
Several political leaders praised the conduct of the election.
APC National Secretary, Senator Ajibola Basiru, commended INEC for the timely deployment of personnel and materials after voting in Osogbo.
APC leader in the state, Adegboyega Oyetola, also praised the turnout and urged voters to maintain peace before and after the declaration of results.
Oyebamiji, who voted in Irewole LGA, described the process as peaceful and commended voters, INEC officials and security personnel.
His wife, Dr Sekinah Oyebamiji, expressed confidence that her husband would emerge victorious.
Adeleke Raises Alarm
Governor Adeleke, who voted at his polling unit in Ede North, raised concerns over alleged plans by the APC to move results to a collation centre instead of collating them at the local government level.
He also alleged that a police officer identified as "London" had been brought from Port Harcourt to disrupt voting in Ede.
The allegation was part of the concerns raised by the governor during the voting process.
Violence, BVAS Glitches Reported
Despite the generally peaceful atmosphere, violence disrupted voting in parts of Ejigbo.
The incident reportedly followed the discovery of materials allegedly linked to vote-buying.
Tension escalated when individuals said to be connected to the materials reportedly attempted to take away a youth who had discovered them.
Residents, voters and election officials were seen fleeing the area as motorcycles and vehicles moved through the scene. It was not immediately clear whether anyone was injured.
BVAS-related difficulties were also recorded in several locations.
At Ward 3, Unit 6, Ijebu-Jesa, Oriade LGA, elderly voters reportedly experienced difficulties getting their faces captured by the BVAS, forcing them to wait and retry the process.
One of the affected voters, 71-year-old Ajayi Omopariola, said he was willing to wait despite the delay so he could exercise his right to vote.
Voters Await Final Verdict
Voters across Osun expressed mixed reactions, with many praising the turnout and peaceful conduct while others voiced concerns about the credibility of the electoral process.
Some voters also alleged attempts at vote-buying, although others described their polling units as free and peaceful.
With hundreds of polling-unit results still to be uploaded and collated, attention remained focused on INEC as the state awaited the final declaration of the winner between Adeleke and Oyebamiji.
