Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke has rejected the preliminary report on the ongoing governorship election, citing widespread voting disruptions, technical failures, and voter intimidation across the state.
Speaking on Osun Radio, Adeleke reported that Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BIVAS) machines malfunctioned and operated too slowly in numerous polling units. He urged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to intervene immediately to restore system functionality and safeguard the integrity of the process.
The governor further alleged that armed thugs were actively disrupting voting operations in Olorunda and Irewole local council areas. He specifically identified a suspect known as Enuku, claiming the individual and his associates were targeting voters in Ikire. Adeleke also accused members of the Nigeria Police Force of assisting the All Progressives Congress (APC) by failing to intervene against the disruptions. He advised residents to remain resilient, defend their votes peacefully, and disregard intimidation tactics at polling stations.
The development raises immediate concerns about the operational readiness of electoral technology and the adequacy of security arrangements in a high-stakes governorship contest. BIVAS, introduced to enhance accreditation transparency, has faced scrutiny in previous Elections over reliability under field conditions. The governor’s public call for INEC intervention underscores the risk that technical failures could disenfranchise voters and undermine confidence in the result.
Allegations of partisan security conduct and organized violence in specific local governments — Olorunda, Irewole, and the town of Ikire — point to localized breakdowns in law enforcement that could distort the electoral outcome in affected areas. The naming of a specific individual, Enuku, as a lead disruptor places pressure on police to investigate and, if warranted, arrest those responsible for voter suppression.
INEC has not yet issued a formal response to the governor’s complaints. The commission’s handling of the BIVAS malfunctions and its coordination with security agencies to address the reported violence will be critical in the coming hours. Civil society observers and party agents are monitoring the situation closely, with the credibility of the election hinging on the commission’s ability to resolve technical issues and ensure a secure voting environment.
As vote counting proceeds, the focus will shift to whether INEC can verify results from disrupted units and whether security agencies will act on the specific allegations of collusion and intimidation. The outcome in Osun State will serve as a key indicator of Nigeria’s electoral resilience ahead of future national polls.
