***Onifofin hails voting process, appeals for calm
The Onifofin of Ifofin, Chief Ezekiel Daramola, has commended the conduct of voting in Ilesa, Osun State, urging voters, political parties and their supporters to remain calm and allow the electoral process to run its course.
Daramola, the traditional head of Ifofin, the ancestral home of a former governor and immediate past Minister of Interior, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, spoke on Saturday while monitoring the exercise in the community.
He said the election had been largely peaceful despite reports of minor disturbances earlier in the day, expressing optimism that the process would be completed without violence.
According to him, the priority of all stakeholders should be to protect the peace of the community and ensure that eligible voters are allowed to exercise their franchise freely.
“I have not voted, but I have been here to ensure that peace reigns as the process continues.
“So far, I am happy that the voting has been peaceful, though there were slight skirmishes in the morning,” he said.
The traditional ruler appealed to political actors to discourage their supporters from engaging in actions capable of causing tension or disrupting voting.
He said candidates and their supporters should recognise that elections were temporary, while the relationships among members of the community would continue after the results had been announced.
Daramola urged voters to respect the authority of accredited electoral officials and security personnel at polling units, warning against confrontation or interference with the voting process.
He also appealed to residents to verify information before acting on rumours, particularly as the exercise progresses towards the collation and announcement of results.
“Everybody should remain calm and allow the process to run its course. What is important is that the people are able to exercise their franchise peacefully,” he said.
The Onifofin further urged security agencies deployed for the election to maintain professionalism and impartiality, stressing that their conduct could help sustain public confidence in the exercise.
He said security personnel should protect voters, electoral officials and election materials while ensuring that all political parties were treated fairly.
Daramola also called on the various candidates to demonstrate sportsmanship by accepting the outcome of the election, provided the process was conducted in accordance with the law.
He said the winner should see the election as a mandate to serve the entire people of Osun State rather than only those who supported his or her political platform.
“The interest of the people should remain paramount. Whoever emerges should be ready to govern for everybody and not just for those who voted for him,” he said.
He added that Ijesaland, like other parts of Osun State, needed an atmosphere of peace and stability to support economic activities, social development and community growth.
According to him, political differences should not be allowed to divide families, communities and longstanding relationships.
Daramola expressed hope that the election would ultimately reflect the wishes of the electorate and that the outcome would be accepted in the interest of Osun State.
He said the credibility of the exercise would depend not only on the conduct of electoral officials but also on the willingness of political parties and voters to respect the rules.
“Let everybody play his part. Let the electoral officials do their work, let the security agencies remain professional, and let the voters exercise their rights peacefully.
“At the end of the day, we all belong to the same community and the same state. Election will come and go, but the people will remain,” he said.
Daramola said he remained hopeful that the election would be concluded peacefully and that the eventual winner would receive the support necessary to move the state forward.
ADC candidate votes, confident of victory in Osun poll
The governorship candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Najeem Salaam, has expressed confidence that he will emerge victorious if the process is free and fair.
Salaam arrived at Unit 003, Iroyin Ayo Open Space, Ward 004, Ejigbo, alongside his wife, where he joined other voters waiting to exercise their franchise.
The ADC candidate completed the accreditation and voting process shortly after his arrival and remained at the polling unit for a while before speaking with journalists.
Speaking after casting his ballot, Salaam said he was confident of victory, insisting that the people of Osun State were behind his candidacy and eager for a change.
He said, “Without manipulation, I will win this election. The people of Osun are behind me and they are ready for change. What we have been hearing from across the state shows that there is a strong desire for a new direction.”
The ADC candidate, however, raised concerns over what he described as widespread manipulation of the electoral process, saying information reaching him from different parts of the state suggested that the exercise was not being conducted as expected.
“From the information I am getting across the state, there is widespread manipulation. We are monitoring the situation and we are hopeful that the will of the people will ultimately prevail,” he said.
Salaam also dismissed suggestions that his party was involved in vote buying, insisting that the ADC did not engage in the practice during the election.
“Our party is not involved in vote buying. We believe that the people should be allowed to freely choose the candidate they want. We are here to participate in a democratic process, and we expect the votes of the people to count,” he said.
He urged his supporters and other voters to remain peaceful and vigilant throughout the exercise, stressing that the outcome should reflect the genuine choice of the electorate.
Salaam also alleged that some ADC agents were excluded from the electoral process at various polling units across the state.
He said the development was part of the irregularities being reported to him by the party’s field officers as voting progressed.
He maintained that the alleged exclusion of ADC agents could undermine the transparency of the exercise, particularly where party representatives were expected to monitor the voting and counting processes.
I am not satisfied with preliminary reports – Adeleke
Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke has said that he is not satisfied with the preliminary report reaching him about the on-going governorship election.
He complained about the malfunctioning of BIVAS in many parts of the state, saying that the machines are too slow.
He also complained that thugs were disturbing people in Olorunda and Irewole councils, saying that a particular thug, Enuku, and his men are on the prowl.
Ademola, who spoke on Osun Radio, said: “Right now, there are complaints that BIVAS are not working well. I am not happy at all. The police are aiding APC. In Enuku, the thug is disturbing people.
”People came out to vote, but machine is slow. It is not working well. INEC should find solution to it. My people are being chased in Ikire. I am still watching them. I don’t know if police are working for APC. I am still watching.
”In Olorunda, they are behaving anyhow. My advice is that my people should vote and defend their votes. Don’t be afraid. It is just for one day.”
Oyebamiji arrives polling unit
The governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the Osun State election, Bola Oyebamiji, has arrived at the polling unit to exercise his franchise.
Oyebamiji, who arrived at Ward 9, Unit 11, Open Space, Gantry Sawmill, Irewole local government area, Ikire at about 10: 35 AM, was received by a waiting crowd who had besieged the unit to cast their vote.
He was ushered into the voting area, cast his vote in less than 10 minutes before leaving.
DECENCY GLOBAL NEWS reports that the unit recorded large turnout of voters who had started arriving as early as 7 AM.
As at the time of this report, voting is still ongoing at the unit.
Oyetola casts vote in Iragbiji
Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, casts his ballot at Polling Unit 10, Ward 1, Lado, Iragbiji, during the Osun State governorship election.
We are responding to complaints about BIVAS – Osun REC
The spokesman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Osun State, Musa Olurode, said the agency has responded to complaints about the slowness of BIVAS machines.
He acknowledged the complaints by the governor, Ademola Adeleke, about the malfunctioning, saying that efforts were made immediately to rectify the anomaly.
He said: “We have received complaints. We instantly responded. All is smooth now.”
Oyetola’s wife casts vote in Iragbiji
The wife of the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Kafayat Oyetola, casts her ballot at Polling Unit 10, Ward 1, Lado, Iragbiji, during the Osun State governorship election.
Police arrest over 300 persons allegedly camped by Osun lawmaker
Over 300 persons allegedly camped by an Osun State House of Assembly lawmaker, Abiola Ibrahim, have been arrested by the police.
Force Public Relations Office (FPRO) CSP Ani Inedu confirmed the arrest during an interview with DECENCY GLOBAL NEWS on Saturday morning.
According to him, police received information on the presence of unaccounted persons at the lawmaker’s place and stromed the venue, where they rounded up.
Iniedu also dismissed claims by the Speaker of Osun State House of Assembly that his residence was under siege, saying operatives from the division had gone there and discovered nothing of such happened.
He said the state has so far been peaceful and calm and the process commenced early based on the reports they have received from field officers.
ADC governorship running mate Agiri, Sen. Ajagunla, to vote at same unit
Temitope Agiri and Senator Olubiyi Ajagunla, who represents Osun Central Senatorial District on the platform of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), are scheduled to vote at the polling unit located within St. Michael’s Primary School, Adekunle Street, Ejigbo Registration Area III, Ila-Orangun.
At the time of filing this report, none of them has shown up for the exercise. There is a long queue of prospective voters at the unit, and the exercise is proceeding seamlessly.
Ajagunla was elected to the Senate in 2023 on the PDP platform.
He later defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC) and contested the APC’s Osun Central senatorial primary in May 2026, losing to Kunle Adegoke.
In July 2026, he left the APC and returned to the PDP. Reports also indicate that he secured the PDP’s Osun Central senatorial ticket after his return.
The unit has 945 registered voters, and the turnout so far is encouraging
Adeleke, wife vote in Ede
Governor Ademola Adeleke and his wife, Titilola Adeleke, have voted at Unit 9, Ward 2, Sagba Abogunde of Ede-North Local Government Area of Osun State on Saturday.
Adeleke, who is seeking re-election under Accord Party, arrived at his polling unit around 8:39 AM as he went to the INEC official at the unit for his accreditation.
After accreditation, the governor subsequently received ballot paper and cast his vote.
The First lady also cast her vote after her husband.
Voting gradually getting underway in parts of Ila-Orangun
Voting is officially underway across polling units in some parts of Ila-Orangun in today’s Osun State governorship election, after a slight delay in the commencement of the exercise.
The election began at precisely 8.40 am at the polling unit at Ajagba junction, Ejigbo Registration Area III, witnessed by our reporter, after a civil defence operative addressed the crowd on the need for orderliness and due process.
The polling unit, with 942 registered voters and located in a residential area, is robust, with many prospective voters anxious to cast their votes. The early turnout makes it is bit difficult to control the crowd who were not in a single line; there were a lot of people standing outside the line.
INEC has characterised this election as a “test case for 2027,” underscoring its significance for Nigeria’s broader electoral landscape.
INEC officials, security personnel arrive early in Ejigbo
INEC officials and security personnel arrived early at polling units across Ejigbo in the Ejigbo Local Government Area of Osun State, with electoral materials deployed ahead of the commencement of voting.
At Unit 009, Open Space, opposite Alasepo Food Canteen, Ward 001, electoral officials were on ground as voters and party agents arrived and began making preparations for the exercise. Party agents were also seen registering their names in the INEC register before voting commenced.
Security personnel, including officers of the Nigeria Police Force and personnel of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, were deployed to various polling units across Ejigbo to maintain order and ensure a peaceful conduct of the election.
At Unit 005, Ward 003, an INEC official was seen addressing voters who had formed a queue, apparently explaining the voting procedure and urging them to maintain order as they waited for the exercise to begin.
Similarly, at Unit 04, Ward 1, voters arrived early and waited patiently for the commencement of voting.
Among them was the 80-year-old Olode of Ejigbo, Chief Ramon Busari, whose presence underscored the determination of residents to participate in the electoral process.
80-year-old traditional chief joins queue to vote in Ejigbo
At 80, Chief Ramon Busari, the Oluode of Ejigbo, joined other voters at Unit 04, Ward 1, Ejigbo, patiently waiting for the commencement of voting, determined to exercise his franchise despite his age.
Speaking while waiting at the polling unit, Busari said he came out because he considered voting not only a right but also a responsibility every citizen should take seriously.
“I am 80 years old, but I still believe I have a responsibility to participate in choosing those who will lead us. That is why I am here,” he said.
The octogenarian traditional chief said that he was encouraged by the opportunity to take part in the electoral process and urged other eligible voters, particularly young people, not to stay away from the polls.
“I want the younger generation to understand that their votes matter. They should come out, vote peacefully and support whoever they believe can serve the people well,” Chief Busari added
His presence at the polling unit also attracted the attention of other voters, many of whom expressed admiration for his commitment to the electoral process despite being 80 years old.
Ede records early arrival of election materials
Election materials for the election have arrived early in Ede, the hometown of Governor Ademola Adeleke.
The materials were conveyed by officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to their respective polling units.
The officials have set up for the election by pasting the names of registered voters on the walls ahead of the commencement of voting.
Among the units visited are Ward 2, unit 9, Ede North; Unit 6, Ward 4, Unit 6, among others.
Security personnel were also observed around key locations as part of measures to ensure the peaceful conduct of the election.
Election observers were spotted in some polling units in two LGAs.
As at the time of filing this report, voting has not commenced, but the electorate are checking their names on the voters’ register.
The Nigeria Police Force has confirmed the arrest of more than 300 persons at the residence of an Osun politician, saying the mission of the suspects in the state has yet to be ascertained.
The police said the suspects are currently being profiled as investigations continue to determine the purpose of their presence in the state.
The command also dismissed allegations by the Speaker of the Osun State House of Assembly that his residence was under siege, describing the claim as unfounded.
Party agents register their names in the INEC register at Polling Unit 009, Open Space, opposite Alasepo Food Canteen, Ward 001, Ejigbo, ahead of the governorship election.
Voters check register ahead of voting in Ejigbo
Voters check their names on the voters’ register at Polling Unit 009, Open Space, opposite Alasepo Food Canteen, Ward 001, Ejigbo.
CP visits Election Observers’ Hub, assures stakeholders of robust security
The Commissioner of Police overseeing security for the Osun 2026 governorship election has visited the Election Observers’ Hub in Osogbo, where discussions focused on measures to ensure a peaceful, credible and violence-free electoral process.
During the visit, the Commissioner of Police engaged election observers and other stakeholders on key security issues, including election security, the prevention of violence, the welfare of security personnel deployed for the exercise and the safety of residents across the state.
A major concern raised during the meeting was the security of ad hoc electoral officials, particularly the need to protect them from possible attacks before, during and after the election.
Responding, the police commissioner assured stakeholders that the Nigeria Police Force, in collaboration with other security agencies, had put adequate measures in place to guarantee the safety of ad hoc electoral staff, election observers, voters and other participants in the electoral process.
He reaffirmed the readiness of the police and sister security agencies to respond swiftly to any security threat and maintain law and order throughout the election, urging residents to remain peaceful and cooperate with security personnel.
Osun 2026: Police announce midnight movement restriction ahead of election, reiterate neutrality
The Nigeria Police Force has announced a total lockdown of Osun State from midnight on Friday, restricting all movement as security agencies finalise deployment for Saturday’s governorship election.
Force Public Relations Officer (FPRO), CSP Ani Iniedu, disclosed this on Friday during a briefing at the Osun State Police Command Headquarters, Osogbo, where he gave an update on security deployment across the state’s 30 local government areas.
Iniedu said air surveillance units, including helicopters and drones, had commenced patrols across the state, alongside a Police Mobile Force (PMF) unit deployed to each local government area under the command of an Assistant Commissioner of Police serving as squadron commander.
Each unit, he added, would be supervised by a Commissioner of Police (CP) and a Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP).
He said two units of combat-ready armed PMF personnel had been deployed to the Independent National Electoral Commission office, alongside seven detachments of Special Protection Units (SPUs) personnel assigned to escort electoral materials and protect INEC officials.
Iniedu maintained that the police remained neutral in the election, stating that their constitutional mandate was the protection of life and property.
He appealed to parents to prevent their underage children from participating in voting or electoral violence, and urged voters to turn out in large numbers, assuring them of adequate security.
On vote buying, Iniedu said the Inspector General of Police had directed election supervisors to ensure that anyone caught engaging in the practice was arrested and prosecuted immediately.
He said a 24-hour call centre had been activated to receive complaints of misconduct by officers on election duty, with an assurance that any officer found culpable of breaching electoral laws would be investigated and sanctioned.
Responding to a question on a shooting incident reported the previous day, Iniedu said the command had yet to receive an official update but promised details at the next briefing.
He said the police had recorded earlier reports of clashes and politically motivated attacks, some of which were already before the courts, adding that outstanding cases remained under investigation.
Iniedu said the police had also engaged stakeholders and ad-hoc electoral staff, including members of the National Youth Service Corps, to reassure them of their safety throughout the process, and reiterated that welfare arrangements for deployed officers had been fully addressed to support impartial conduct.
Police deploy MOPOL units to all 30 LGAs, vow neutrality
The Nigeria Police Force has deployed Police Mobile Force (PMF) units to each of the 30 local government areas in Osun State as part of security arrangements for the 2026 governorship election.
Addressing journalists on Friday, the Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Ani Iniedu, said the deployment was aimed at ensuring adequate security throughout the electoral process.
According to him, the Police Female Squadron has been stationed at the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) headquarters in Osogbo, while two additional standby PMF units have been positioned at the state Police Command headquarters to provide swift response to any security emergency.
Iniedu reaffirmed the commitment of the Nigeria Police Force and other security agencies to remain neutral during the election, assuring political parties, candidates and voters of professionalism and impartiality in the discharge of their duties.
He also disclosed that no arrests had been made over the killing of the nephew of former House of Representatives member, Wole Oke.
On the distribution of election materials, the police spokesman said no complaints had been received since the exercise commenced over the weekend, noting that the process had so far progressed without any reported security concerns
The police also announced movement restrictions from 12 midnight, to prevent movements in and out of the state.
INEC distributes sensitive materials
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on Thursday night commenced the distribution of sensitive materials to the 30 local government areas of Osun ahead of Saturday’s governorship election.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the materials were distributed under the supervision of the Osun Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Mrs Oluwatoyin Babalola.
The distribution had earlier been delayed following a Federal High Court judgment directing INEC to include the Social Democratic Party (SDP) on the ballot.
The SDP was subsequently added to the list of the 14 political parties for which ballot papers had earlier been printed.
As of 11:30p.m., buses deployed for the exercise were leaving the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) premises in Osogbo for their assigned local government areas.
Addressing journalists, Mr Umar Mohammed, Senior Programme Manager, Kimpat Development Initiative, a non-governmental organisation, described the distribution and arrival of the materials as encouraging.
“It is a very good thing that the materials arrived today. Hopefully, by the time INEC finishes sorting, they will distribute them to all the local governments,” he said.
Mohammed said there had initially been concerns that the court ruling could affect the election timetable.
He explained that INEC had to print additional ballot papers and result sheets following the court order.
“We were worried after the court pronouncement, which led to the addition of SDP to the ballot. This created a logistical challenge for INEC.
“We felt it could affect the election and probably lead to a call for postponement, but it is good that the materials have arrived,” he said.
He commended INEC’s deployment strategy, saying the commission appeared to be prioritising local governments considered distant and difficult to access.
Mohammed, however, expressed concern that rainfall could disrupt the distribution of election materials.
“I pray it does not rain because the dark clouds are already gathering, rainfall could make the distribution of election materials difficult,” he said.
NAN
