OSOGBO — Voting is underway across Osun State as residents head to polling units to elect the next governor of the state in the keenly contested governorship election.
Early reports from several polling units indicate a strong voter turnout, despite concerns raised before the election over possible voter apathy and security challenges.
A total of 2,339,233 registered voters are eligible to participate in the election, with 15 political parties listed on the ballot.
Massive Turnout at Oyebamiji’s Polling Unit
A large crowd of voters gathered at Ward 09, Unit 011, Ikire, where APC governorship candidate Bola Oyebamiji is expected to cast his ballot.
Voters arrived early and formed orderly queues as they waited to exercise their franchise.
Some voters described the process as peaceful and orderly, expressing optimism that their votes would count.
Younger voters were seen waiting patiently in line, while elderly voters and persons with disabilities were given priority during the voting process.
Voting Underway in Osogbo and Olorunda
Voting has also commenced at several polling units across Osogbo and Olorunda Local Government Areas.
At Ward 2, Units 3 and 5 in Olorunda, voters reportedly turned out in large numbers. Voting commenced shortly before 9am following the late arrival of some INEC ad-hoc personnel and election materials.
Police officers deployed to some polling units were observed maintaining security around the voting centres.
At Ward 5, Unit 14 in Olorunda, voters initially raised concerns about an alleged malfunction involving the BVAS accreditation system.
The issue was subsequently clarified by election officials, who explained that accreditation could be completed using either fingerprint or facial recognition.
The Osun INEC Public Relations Officer, Musa Olurode, also explained that failure of one accreditation method does not necessarily prevent a voter from being accredited if the alternative method works.
A similar BVAS-related issue was reported at Ward 1, Unit 10 in Boripe Local Government Area.
Adeleke Casts His Vote
Governor Ademola Adeleke, the Accord Party candidate, has cast his vote at his polling unit in Ede North Local Government Area.
Adeleke arrived at Polling Unit 009, Ward 02, Abogunde Compound, Ede North, at about 8:10am.
The governor is seeking a second term in office after winning the governorship election in 2022 under the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
He later defected from the PDP to the Accord Party ahead of the 2026 election.
A large number of voters were also reported around polling units in Ede North, the governor’s home area.
Voters Arrive Early
Across several parts of the state, voters began arriving at polling centres before the commencement of voting.
At Gulf Junction, Ogo Oluwa Ward 4, Unit 2, Osogbo, prospective voters were reportedly waiting as early as 7:13am for INEC officials and election materials.
The early turnout suggests strong interest in the election despite concerns about voter apathy.
Fifteen Parties on the Ballot
Fifteen political parties are participating in the election.
The major contenders include:
- Ademola Adeleke — Accord Party
- Bola Oyebamiji — All Progressives Congress (APC)
- Najeem Salaam — African Democratic Congress (ADC)
Other candidates on the ballot include representatives of the Action Alliance, African Action Congress, African Democratic Party, All Progressives Grand Alliance, Allied Peoples Movement, Action Peoples Party, Boot Party, New Nigeria Peoples Party, Peoples Redemption Party, Young Progressives Party, Social Democratic Party and Zenith Labour Party.
Yemisi Adeagbo of the African Democratic Party is reportedly the only female candidate in the contest.
Two Candidates Announce Withdrawal
Two candidates had announced their withdrawal from the race before election day.
They are Adesina Adeyemi-Doro of the APGA and Simon Adewale of the APM.
Adeyemi-Doro announced support for APC candidate Bola Oyebamiji, while Adewale declared support for Governor Adeleke.
Despite their withdrawals, the names of both candidates and their parties remain on the ballot.
Elderly Voters and PWDs Given Priority
At some polling centres, elderly voters and Persons With Disabilities (PWDs) were given priority to enable them to vote without unnecessary difficulty.
Observers also reported orderly queues at several locations.
Election officials are expected to continue accreditation and voting throughout the designated voting period before the counting of ballots begins at individual polling units.
LIVE UPDATE
Voting is continuing across Osun State. Election officials are expected to count ballots at each polling unit immediately after voting ends, while results will subsequently move through the prescribed collation process.
OBASANJONEWS24 will continue to update this report with developments from polling units, voter turnout, incidents, counting, collation and the eventual declaration of the winner.
