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Governor Ademola Adeleke cast his vote in Ede and accused some police personnel of aiding the APC through alleged voter intimidation and security bias.
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The governor claimed police officers were tear-gassing voters in parts of Osun and alleged a plot involving fake ballot papers to manipulate the governorship election.
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Adeleke urged the Inspector-General of Police to investigate the allegations, insisting security agencies must remain neutral throughout the poll.
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An 85-year-old voter and an 80-year-old traditional chief joined thousands of residents at polling units, calling for good governance and urging citizens to sustain faith in democracy.
August 15, (THEWILL) — Osun State Governor and Accord Party governorship candidate, Senator Ademola Adeleke, on Saturday, cast his vote in the ongoing governorship election, accusing some police personnel of allegedly working in favour of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and attempting to intimidate voters in parts of the state.
Adeleke voted at Polling Unit 009, Ward 02, Agbogunde Sagba, Ede North Local Government Area, arriving at about 8:30 a.m. amid tight security and enthusiastic supporters. He underwent simultaneous accreditation and voting before addressing journalists at the polling unit.
The election has attracted nationwide attention as over 1.9 million Permanent Voter Card (PVC) holders decide who will govern Osun State for the next four years in a keenly contested race involving 15 candidates.
Speaking shortly after voting, Adeleke alleged that some police officers had abandoned their constitutional responsibility of neutrality and were instead assisting the APC to influence the outcome of the election.
He claimed intelligence reports indicated that a police officer allegedly deployed from Port Harcourt, identified only by the nickname “London,” had been sent to Ede to disrupt the electoral process.
“I have received reports on authority information that there is one police officer deployed from Port Harcourt to do a hatchet job in Osun. They call his nickname ‘London’. He is here in Ede hiding. His assignment is to create panic through shootings so that people will not come out to vote”, Adeleke alleged.
The governor appealed to the Inspector-General of Police and other security agencies to immediately investigate the allegation and ensure that officers deployed for election duty remained impartial.
Adeleke also accused the APC of allegedly printing fake ballot papers as part of an attempt to manipulate the governorship election.
He further claimed that reports reaching him indicated that police personnel were using tear gas against voters in Modakeke and Obaku to disperse crowds and discourage participation.
“Right now, as I’m voting, I just received calls from Modakeke and Obaku that police are aiding them by tear-gassing people so they will run away from polling units. The people are resolute because they only want to perform their civic responsibility. Let the security agencies remain neutral”, he said.
Despite the allegations, the governor expressed confidence that he would secure another four-year mandate.
“I have God on my side, and I have my people on my side. I will win this election”, Adeleke declared.
Neither the Nigeria Police Force nor the APC had officially responded to the allegations as of the time this report was filed.
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Beyond the political contest, elderly voters turned out in significant numbers, reinforcing calls for sustained democratic participation.
At Unit 3, Ward 9, AUD School, Atile, Ikire, Irewole Local Government Area, 85-year-old Pa Odejide Mosunmoye cast his vote and said he desired a government that would deliver development and improve the welfare of residents across Osun State.
“I came out in my old age to vote because I want to see better governance in Osun. I have been voting since the days of Chief Obafemi Awolowo. Government may not be perfect, but citizens must continue to choose better leaders,” he said.
Similarly, Chief Ramon Busari, the 80-year-old Oluode of Ejigbo, joined other voters at Unit 04, Ward 1, Ejigbo, patiently waiting for accreditation before voting.
The traditional chief said voting remained both a constitutional right and a civic obligation.
“I am 80 years old, but I still believe I have a responsibility to participate in choosing those who will lead us. I want young people to understand that their votes matter. They should come out peacefully and vote for whoever they believe can serve the people well”, Busari said.
His presence at the polling unit drew admiration from other voters, many of whom praised his commitment to democratic participation despite his advanced age.
Across the state, accreditation and voting commenced peacefully in many polling units under the watch of security agencies and election observers, although isolated complaints of delayed arrival of electoral officials and allegations of intimidation were reported in some locations.
The Osun governorship election is widely regarded as Nigeria’s final major off-cycle poll before the 2027 general elections, with political parties, civil society organisations and international observers closely monitoring the conduct of the process and its implications for the country’s democratic trajectory.
Felix Ifijeh is a journalist with years of professional reporting experience. Known for his keen news sense, compelling storytelling and commitment to accurate, impactful reporting, he has built a reputation for turning leads into clear, engaging, and well-structured reports that resonate with readers. His work reflects deep newsroom experience and a commitment to accurate, impactful journalism.
