OSUN 2026: ADELEKE’S CAMPAIGN COUNCIL CALLS ON INEC TO TACKLE ELECTION CONCERNS
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By:Tajudeen Aminat
The Imole Campaign Council, which is coordinating the re-election campaign of Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke, has urged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to address alleged irregularities observed during recent off-cycle and by-elections ahead of the state’s governorship poll.
Speaking to journalists in Osogbo on Monday, the council’s Director-General, Lere Oyewumi, said the appeal was aimed at strengthening the credibility of the electoral process and ensuring a transparent governorship election in Osun State.
Oyewumi alleged that in recent off-cycle and by-elections conducted in Ogun, Oyo, Jigawa and Ekiti states, individuals suspected to be “mercenary voters” were issued Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) shortly before the elections.
He also expressed concern over the alleged shortage of ballot papers and other sensitive election materials during the 2026 Ekiti State governorship election, claiming that pre-thumbprinted ballot papers were reportedly circulated.
According to him, technical glitches associated with the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) also affected the conduct of elections in Ekiti State and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Area Council polls.
The campaign council further alleged that in recent elections held in Anambra, Ekiti and the FCT, some political parties that did not participate in the contests were included on ballot papers and result sheets.
Addressing concerns ahead of the August 15 Osun governorship election, Oyewumi claimed the council had received reports that some leaders of the All Progressives Congress (APC) allegedly made statements suggesting that BVAS machines could be preloaded before the poll.
“We have been inundated with boastful statements reportedly made by some Osun APC leaders about preloading BVAS machines ahead of the governorship election in the state,” he said.
He described the allegation, if substantiated, as a serious threat to the integrity of the electronic accreditation system and a potential attempt to influence the outcome of the election.
Oyewumi also expressed reservations about INEC’s ongoing distribution of new PVCs, urging the electoral body to ensure the exercise is transparent, inclusive and free from manipulation.
“We have been notified about the commencement of the distribution of new PVCs by INEC. However, we have serious concerns about the transparency of the process, and we hereby warn that any move to disenfranchise Osun voters by withholding their PVCs will not be tolerated,” he stated.
The campaign council maintained that PVC collection should be conducted openly and cautioned against any form of proxy collection.
Oyewumi emphasized that the issues raised were not intended to undermine INEC but to encourage improvements that would enhance public confidence in the electoral process through constructive engagement.
He noted that the Osun governorship election presents another opportunity for Nigeria’s democratic institutions to demonstrate their commitment to conducting free, fair, transparent and credible elections.
According to him, the people of Osun expect an electoral process that genuinely reflects the will of the electorate.
The campaign council consequently called on INEC to review the concerns raised and implement necessary corrective measures ahead of the August 15 governorship election.
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