..N10,000 and N20,000 exchange for vote.
By Editor -in-Chief, MAHMOUD MUHAMMAD
The Osun State governorship election witnessed widespread allegations of vote-buying, isolated violence, arrests of suspected political thugs and technical challenges as voters turned out across the state’s 30 local government areas to elect a new governor.
The election featured incumbent Governor Ademola Adeleke of the Accord Party, APC candidate Bola Oyebamiji, ADC candidate Najeem Salaam and other contenders.
INEC said the state has over 2.3 million registered voters, with more than 1.9 million Permanent Voter Cards collected ahead of the exercise.Reports from several communities alleged that supporters of the leading political parties offered voters cash ranging from ₦10,000 to ₦20,000 in exchange for votes.
Some residents also claimed party agents collected bank account details with promises of post-election payments, although the allegations remain unverified and are expected to be investigated by relevant authorities.
The claims were reported in areas including Ilesa, Ede, Osogbo, Iwo, Ile-Ife and Ikire, where voters also alleged that food items were distributed before election day. Civil society organisations had earlier warned that vote-buying and voter intimidation could threaten the credibility of the election.
Voting was briefly disrupted at Polling Unit 13, Ward 4 in Ejigbo following violence linked to allegations of vote-buying materials.
The polling unit belongs to ADC governorship candidate Najeem Salaam, who had earlier complained about the alleged denial of accreditation to some of his party agents.Security agencies maintained a heavy presence across the state throughout the election.
The Osun State Police Command announced the arrest of a state lawmaker representing Irewole/Isokan Constituency as well as 146 suspected political thugs during operations aimed at preventing electoral violence and maintaining public order.
Although some polling units experienced delays caused by BVAS malfunction and logistical issues, election observers reported that voting proceeded peacefully in many locations. Officials and observers described the process as orderly in several polling units despite the isolated challenges.
Governor Ademola Adeleke cast his ballot in Ede, while APC candidate Bola Oyebamiji voted in Ikire and expressed confidence of victory.
ADC candidate Najeem Salaam also voted before the reported disruption at his polling unit. Voter turnout was described as encouraging in many communities, with long queues recorded at several polling centres.As voting and collation continued, INEC had not declared any winner at the time of reporting.
The election is being closely watched as a major test of Nigeria’s electoral process ahead of the 2027 general elections, with observers urging transparency, peaceful conduct and strict adherence to electoral laws.
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