OSUN GOVERNORSHIP ELECTION: Adeleke Votes as Large Turnout, Protests and Security Concerns Emerge

Osun State has witnessed significant voter turnout as residents head to polling units across the state to participate in the 2026 governorship election.

In Ede, the hometown of Governor Ademola Adeleke, large crowds were observed at several polling units as voters arrived to exercise their constitutional right to vote.

Voters in many of the wards visited were reportedly in high spirits and remained on queues while waiting for INEC ad hoc officials to complete preparations and commence accreditation and voting.

Governor Adeleke arrived at his polling unit at approximately 8:39 a.m., completed his accreditation and subsequently cast his ballot.

The electorate included young people, women and elderly residents who waited patiently at their respective polling units.

Oyetola Casts His Ballot

The Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Gboyega Oyetola, also participated in the election by casting his vote.

Alleged Removal of Election Materials in Modakeke

Tension was reported in Modakeke after allegations emerged that policemen allegedly carted away voting materials.

The incident was among several developments generating concern in parts of the state as the election continued.

Vote-Buying Allegations Spark Protests

In Ejigbo, voters reportedly staged a protest over alleged vote buying.

Similar allegations were reported in Ikire, while a separate incident at AUD Primary School, Atile, Ikire, Irewole Local Government Area, saw voters protest the alleged clustering of party agents around the voting area.

Security personnel were reportedly deployed to calm the situation.

Imole Campaign Council Raises Alarm

The Imole Campaign Council accused the Nigerian Army and other security agencies of intimidation and alleged partisanship during the election.

The council warned that the military should not be turned into “pawns in the hands of desperate power-seeking politicians”.

Pelumi Olajengbesi, spokesperson for the campaign council, alleged in a statement on Saturday that soldiers raided the homes of Accord Party leaders across Osun State, particularly in Osun East Senatorial District.

The council further alleged that some key members of the party were arrested on election day.

According to the statement, “Over 15 trucks of soldiers” raided residences last night and detained innocent individuals.

The council alleged that the operation was led by ASP Wemimo, a police officer attached to Senator Francis Fadahunsi, alongside APC chieftain Sanya Omirin, who represents the Atakunmosa East/Atakunmosa West/Ilesa East/Ilesa West Federal Constituency.

Ede North Records BVAS Challenge

A BVAS failure was reportedly recorded in Ede North, while reports also indicated that herdsmen were grazing cattle in the area.

Governor Adeleke voted at Sagba Abogunde Ward 2, Unit 9, Ede North Local Government Area.

Photos by Dare Fasube.

Police Arrest 146 Suspected Voters

A video from the election also showed the arrest of 146 suspected voters and an Accord Party lawmaker by the police.

Armed Soldiers Take Position Near INEC Office

Armed military personnel reportedly barricaded the road leading to the INEC office along Abere Road in Osogbo.

The soldiers were said to have stopped and frisked motorists and vehicles using the road, while some residents were prevented from continuing to their destinations.

At Unit 1, Ward 5, Ijamu, Ilesa East, a 48-year-old physically challenged housewife, Oluwatoyin Fapounda, was among those who turned out to vote.

Meanwhile, the Ede/Akoda Road was reportedly deserted.

Early Arrival at Polling Units

At Governor Adeleke’s polling unit, Unit 9, Ward 2, Ede North, voters and INEC ad hoc staff were ready for the voting exercise scheduled for 8:30 a.m.

In Ilesa West, voters were seen checking their names at Idi-Iroko/Itakogun Unit, Ward 008.

In Iragbiji, Boripe Local Government Area, voters arrived at Ward 3, Unit 16, before the arrival of electoral officers. Some had reportedly been waiting since 7:15 a.m.

Iragbiji is the hometown of the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola.

At Orisunbare Village Polling Unit 001, Alajue, Ede South, officials were seen arranging election materials while prospective voters waited to be accredited.

Early arrivals of INEC ad hoc personnel and voters were also reported at Ward 4, Unit 6, Ede North.

At Gulf Junction, Ogo-Oluwa Ward 4, Unit 2, Osogbo, voters were already waiting for electoral officers and materials by 7:13 a.m.

Photos and video by Dare Fasube.

Election Materials Distributed

Electoral personnel and sensitive election materials were moved to Registration Area Centres in Iwo Local Government Area.

At RA 13, NUD Primary School, Oyan, Odo-Otin Local Government Area, officials checked election materials and conducted simulation exercises before moving them to the polling units.

1,906,390 Voters Expected

The election is taking place today, August 15, 2026, with no fewer than 1,906,390 voters expected to choose the next governor of Osun State.

The candidates listed for the election are:

• Governor Ademola Adeleke – Accord Party
• Farinloye Olarenwaju – Action Alliance
• Esan Olajide – African Action Congress (AAC)
• Najeem Salaam – African Democratic Congress (ADC)
• Adeagbo Opawoye – African Democratic Party (ADP)
• Mustapha Adeniyi – Social Democratic Party (SDP)
• Bola Oyebamiji – All Progressives Congress (APC)
• Adesina Aseyemi-Doro – All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA)
• Clement Adesuyi – Action Peoples Party (APP)
• Masilo Adeleke – Boot Party
• Taofeek Adeleke – New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP)
• Saliu Oyelami – Peoples Redemption Party (PRP)
• Ogunsakin Olalekan – Young Progressives Party (YPP)
• Adefemi Adesuyi – Zenith Labour Party (ZLP)

As voting continues across the state, stay with us for live updates, videos, photographs and reports on developments from polling units, voter reactions and other major happenings in the Osun governorship election.

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