The media team of the Accord candidate, Sen. Ademola Adeleke, has raised an alarm over what it describes as a plan by the Independent National Electoral Commission to declare the Osun State governorship election inconclusive.
In a statement issued on August 15, 2026 and signed by Rep. Bamidele Salam, Chairman of the Media and Publicity Committee of the Imole Campaign Council, the party said the move is being pushed by some APC governors and leaders as a “last minute desperate” effort to overturn what it expects will be victory for Adeleke.
“Our Party wishes to inform Nigerians of a sinister plan by INEC to declare the ongoing Governorship election inconclusive in an apparent move to frustrate the imminent victory of Sen Ademola Jackson Nurudeen Adeleke of the Accord,” the statement read.
The campaign condemned the alleged plan as undemocratic and reminded the INEC Chairman of public assurances given ahead of the poll that the election would be free, fair and credible.
It also referenced a directive credited to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, urging that the Osun election must not be compromised. According to the campaign, the poll is being watched closely as a test ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The statement further called on the Inspector-General of Police, the Director-General of the DSS, the Commandant-General of the Civil Defence Corps, and other security agencies to deploy adequate personnel to all collation centres across the state. The aim, it said, is to prevent interference by “hoodlums hired by the APC.”
The campaign cited reports of ballot box snatching in a few polling units and demanded the immediate arrest and prosecution of those responsible.
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“We note with sadness the hijack of ballot boxes already recorded in a few polling units by these thugs and demand that perpetrators be arrested to face the full wrath of the Law,” Salam stated.
Local and international observers were also urged to take note of the development and to speak out in support of the law and the people of Osun.
INEC and the APC are yet to respond publicly to the allegations as at the time of filing this report. Security agencies have not confirmed any specific threats at collation centres, but officials said normal protocols remain in place.
The Osun governorship election is ongoing, with results expected to be collated and announced by INEC in the coming hours.
