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Voting has commenced across Osun State as eligible voters head to polling units in a governorship election widely regarded as a defining political test ahead of the 2027 general elections.
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Military and police personnel have taken control of strategic locations, including roads leading to the INEC headquarters in Osogbo, while enforcing a statewide restriction on movement.
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Governor Ademola Adeleke has cast his vote in Ede, while early voter turnout was recorded in several communities, including Ede, Ejigbo and Iragbiji, with an 80-year-old traditional chief urging citizens to embrace democracy.
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Governor Adeleke, APC’s Bola Oyebamiji, ADC’s Najeem Salam and 12 other candidates are battling for votes in one of Nigeria’s most closely watched off-cycle elections.
August 15, (THEWILL) — Voting has commenced across Osun State as eligible voters trooped to polling units on Saturday to elect a governor in an election widely seen as a major referendum on Nigeria’s democratic institutions and a key indicator of political alignments ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Across the state, voters arrived at polling centres before accreditation officially commenced, while security agencies mounted one of the largest election-day deployments in recent years to guarantee a peaceful exercise.
THEWILL observed that soldiers, police officers, personnel of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) and other security agencies took control of strategic locations across the state.
Military personnel mounted checkpoints along the road leading to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) headquarters at Abere in Osogbo, where motorists and vehicles were subjected to thorough security checks.
Several commuters attempting to access the area were stopped and screened as armed soldiers enforced the statewide restriction on vehicular movement announced by the Nigeria Police Force ahead of the election.
The heavy security deployment followed assurances by the Inspector-General of Police that adequate measures had been put in place to secure voters, election officials and electoral materials throughout the exercise.
Early Turnout Across Polling Units
Early voter turnout was recorded in several communities across the state.
At Polling Unit 16, Ward 3 in Iragbiji, Boripe Local Government Area (the hometown of Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola), voters had formed queues as early as 7:15 a.m., waiting for the arrival of INEC officials and election materials.
A similar atmosphere was observed in Ede, hometown of Governor Ademola Adeleke, where residents turned out in large numbers before daybreak.
Vehicles conveying voters and National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members serving as ad hoc electoral officials were seen heading to polling centres from about 6:30 a.m.
INEC officials later arrived with election materials and commenced preparations for accreditation and voting, while voters’ registers were displayed at polling units to enable verification.
Domestic election observers were equally seen monitoring activities at various polling centres ahead of the commencement of voting.
Octogenarian Chief Inspires Voters
One of the inspiring moments of the election came in Ejigbo, where Chief Ramon Busari, the Oluode of Ejigbo, joined other residents at Polling Unit 04, Ward 1 to exercise his civic responsibility.
At 80, the traditional chief patiently waited alongside other voters for accreditation and voting, insisting that participation in elections remains a duty every citizen owes the country.
“I am 80 years old, but I still believe I have a responsibility to participate in choosing those who will lead us. That is why I am here”, he said.
Busari urged especially young Nigerians not to stay away from the polls.
“I want the younger generation to understand that their votes matter. They should come out, vote peacefully and support whoever they believe can serve the people well.”
His presence drew admiration from fellow voters, many of whom described his commitment as a demonstration of patriotism and faith in Nigeria’s democracy.
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Adeleke Casts Vote In Ede
Governor Adeleke on Saturday cast his vote at his polling unit in Ede as voting gathered momentum across the state.
The Accord Party candidate, who is seeking a second term in office, arrived at the polling centre in a black bus amid tight security, then proceeded through the accreditation process and cast his ballot under INEC’s simultaneous accreditation and voting procedure.
Adeleke is seeking re-election against a strong field led by the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate, Asiwaju Munirudeen Bola Oyebamiji (AMBO), the African Democratic Congress (ADC) candidate, Dr Najeem Salam, the Social Democratic Party (SDP) candidate, Dr Francis Olugbenga Ajala, and 11 other governorship candidates.
Security operatives maintained a strong presence around the governor’s polling unit and other strategic locations in Ede as voters continued to cast their ballots peacefully.
Also, security checkpoints remained active across Ede North, Ede South and other local government areas, with police officers enforcing the movement restriction while allowing only accredited election officials, security personnel and other authorised individuals access.
The Nigeria Police Force had earlier announced a statewide restriction on vehicular movement beginning at midnight Friday and deployed helicopters, drones, Police Mobile Force squadrons and Special Protection Units across Osun’s 30 local government areas.
High-Stakes Contest
Saturday’s governorship election features 15 candidates, although political attention has largely centred on incumbent Governor Ademola Adeleke of the Accord Party, Asiwaju Munirudeen Bola Oyebamiji (AMBO) of the APC, Dr Najeem Salam of the ADC and Dr Francis Olugbenga Ajala of the SDP following his court-ordered inclusion on the ballot.
More than 1.9 million registered voters who have collected their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) are expected to determine who governs the State of the Living Spring for the next four years.
Ahead of the election, President Bola Tinubu directed INEC to conduct a transparent, free and credible poll while ordering security agencies to provide maximum protection for voters, electoral officials and election materials.
As accreditation and voting continue across the state, attention is expected to shift later in the day to vote counting and collation, with the outcome likely to shape not only Osun’s political future but also the national political landscape ahead of the 2027 general elections.
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.
