Adeleke Takes Early Lead in Osun Governorship Election as Violence, Vote-Buying Mar Poll.

Ruling Party Candidate Wins Big in Early Results Amid Reports of Ballot Snatching and Intimidation.

Governor Ademola Adeleke of the Accord Party has established a significant early lead in Saturday's governorship election, with the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) uploading 95% of results to its viewing portal. The former governor appears to be cruising toward victory, maintaining strong performance across key local government areas.

According to provisional results, Adeleke dominated in Osogbo, Oriade, Iwo, Ede South, Ife North, Ife East, and Irepodun Local Government Areas. In Ife North alone, he secured 2,043 votes compared to the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate Bola Oyebamiji's 1,386 votes, while ADC's Najeem Salaam trailed far behind with just 51 votes.

The governor's performance was particularly impressive in Osogbo, where he amassed 36,480 votes against Oyebamiji's 30,474, and in Iwo LGA, where he scored 27,085 votes compared to the APC's 19,660.

Political Bigwigs Suffer Defeat at Polling Units

In a stunning turn of events, several prominent political figures lost their polling units to Adeleke. Former Governor Olagunsoye Oyinlola, who backed Oyebamiji, lost his Okuku polling unit where Adeleke polled 125 votes against Oyebamiji's 85.

Similarly, former Governor Rauf Aregbesola, now leader of the ADC, suffered a humiliating defeat in his Ilesa East polling unit, with APC securing 256 votes compared to ADC's paltry 13 votes. Even former APC National Secretary Iyiola Omisore couldn't save face, as Adeleke won his Ife East polling unit with 131 votes against Oyebamiji's 85.

Vote-Buying Scandal Casts Shadow Over Election

The election was marred by widespread allegations of vote-buying, with reports suggesting political parties distributed millions of naira to influence voters. Sources revealed that one party allegedly sent N5 million to each polling unit, with individual voters receiving between N20,000 and N50,000 for their votes.

The Centre for Journalism Innovation and Development reported receiving information about N50,000 payments to voters in Ilesa East LGA. Security personnel were also implicated, with allegations that they received cash bribes in Ayedaade and Ife North local governments.

In Ejigbo LGA, a viral video showed agents confronting voters with bundles of cash, while another incident in Olorunda LGA captured party agents distributing money to voters. Security operatives reportedly seized bundles of cash from a party agent at Polling Unit 13 in Ejigbo.

BVAS Glitches and Violence Disrupt Voting Process

The election was plagued by technical failures, with Deputy Governor Kola Adewusi expressing frustration as BVAS machines malfunctioned at his polling unit, slowing down the process and preventing some voters from casting their ballots. Former Minister of State for Police Affairs Jelili Adesiyan also complained about BVAS failures that prevented elderly voters from being captured in the system.

Violence erupted at multiple locations across the state. At Salvation Army High School in Osogbo, gunmen attacked a bus carrying INEC ad hoc staff, shooting into a waiting crowd and injuring a man in the chest. In Ikirun, disagreements over vote counting escalated into gunfire, forcing police to fire tear gas canisters to disperse the crowd.

At Ward 8 collation center in Olorunda, armed thugs attacked the premises, leading to the evacuation of ad hoc staff to the INEC office. The ADC candidate, Najeem Salaam, was reportedly whisked away from a polling unit in Ejigbo after supporters and journalists were attacked by armed political thugs.

Political Parties Trade Accusations

The violence and irregularities have sparked fierce recriminations between the major parties. The APC accused Accord of sponsoring thugs to hijack ballot boxes, while Accord pointed fingers at the APC for orchestrating violence to disrupt voting in their strongholds.

The ADC has called for the cancellation of results in several areas, describing the election as a "sham" and alleging coordinated efforts to suppress results from ADC strongholds.

Governor Adeleke condemned what he called "sheer abuse of law enforcement" to intimidate his supporters, citing the arrest of a PDP member after he had already voted.

As Osun State awaits the final results, the election has left a bitter taste with many voters, raising concerns about the integrity of Nigeria's electoral process.