The Osun State local government elections unfolded under unusual circumstances, marked by a low voter turnout, the absence of security operatives at polling units, and allegations of electoral irregularities.
While some wards saw a decent number of voters, most polling units recorded significantly lower participation than the previous governorship election. Voting didn’t occur in several areas, including Osogbo, Ilesa-West, Irewole, Isokan, and Ayedaade, where recent political tensions had escalated.
Security operatives were notably missing at polling stations but were seen mounting roadblocks on major roads. Reports also surfaced of polling officials in Ejigbo being arrested with election materials, preventing them from conducting the vote.
Despite the controversies, the Osun State Independent Electoral Commission (OSIEC) Chairman, Hashim Abioye, described the process as peaceful, though he expressed concern over the arrests. He assured voters that additional electoral materials had been deployed to affected areas.
The election was also characterized by an unusually early start and conclusion, with some polling stations wrapping up as early as 9 AM. In Boripe local government, voting reportedly began at 7:30 AM and ended by 11 AM, leaving many voters unable to cast their ballots.
The All Progressives Congress (APC) dismissed the election as a “sham,” accusing OSIEC of bias and alleging ballot box stuffing. Similarly, the Allied Peoples Movement (APM) labeled the exercise a “lockdown” rather than a true democratic process, questioning OSIEC’s neutrality due to its chairman’s alleged ties to the ruling PDP.
Meanwhile, key political figures, including Governor Ademola Adeleke, Speaker of the House of Assembly Adewale Egbedun, and former Governor Olagunsoye Oyinlola, participated in the election, casting their votes in their respective wards.
However, by the time of this report, the results had yet to be formally announced, as the OSIEC headquarters remained sealed off by the police since Thursday. The lingering uncertainty has only fueled more speculation about the credibility of the election process.
