The campaign organisation of Osun State Governor, Senator Ademola Adeleke, has called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to address alleged electoral lapses witnessed during recent off-cycle elections ahead of the August 15 governorship poll in the state.
The Director-General of the Imole Campaign Council, Lere Oyewumi, made the call while addressing journalists in Osogbo on Monday, urging the electoral umpire to ensure a free, fair and transparent election.
Oyewumi alleged that some off-cycle and by-elections conducted in Ogun, Oyo, Jigawa and Ekiti states witnessed the issuance of Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) to individuals suspected to be mercenary voters shortly before election day.
He also expressed concern over the alleged deployment of inadequate ballot papers and other sensitive election materials, claiming that already thumb-printed ballot papers were used during the 2026 Ekiti State governorship election.
The campaign council further alleged that the Ekiti governorship election and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Area Council elections experienced technical glitches involving the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS).
According to Oyewumi, political parties that did not field candidates in recent elections in Anambra, Ekiti and the FCT allegedly appeared on ballot papers and result sheets.
He also raised concerns over reports that some leaders of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Osun allegedly boasted about preloading BVAS machines ahead of the governorship election.
The campaign organisation of Osun State Governor, Senator Ademola Adeleke, has urged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to address alleged electoral lapses recorded in recent off-cycle elections ahead of the August 15 governorship poll.
The Director-General of the Imole Campaign Council, Lere Oyewumi, made the appeal in Osogbo on Monday, calling for a free, fair and transparent election.
He alleged that recent elections in Ogun, Oyo, Jigawa and Ekiti saw PVCs issued to suspected mercenary voters shortly before polling day, while inadequate ballot papers and other sensitive materials were deployed. He also claimed already thumb-printed ballot papers were used in the 2026 Ekiti governorship election.
The council further alleged BVAS glitches in the Ekiti governorship and FCT Area Council elections, and said parties without candidates in Anambra, Ekiti and the FCT still appeared on ballot papers and result sheets.
Oyewumi also cited reports that some APC leaders in Osun boasted about preloading BVAS machines ahead of the governorship election.
“If true, such claims strike at the heart of electronic accreditation and suggest a predetermined outcome rather than the genuine will of the people,” he said.
Oyewumi also expressed reservations over the ongoing distribution of new PVCs by INEC, stressing that the exercise must be transparent and free from any form of manipulation.
“We have serious concerns about the transparency of the process. Any move to disenfranchise Osun voters by withholding their PVCs will not be tolerated. The distribution must be transparent and should not allow collection by proxy,” he stated.
He explained that the issues raised were intended to strengthen Nigeria’s electoral process rather than undermine public confidence in INEC.
According to him, the Osun governorship election presents another opportunity for the country to demonstrate improvements in its democratic institutions through a credible electoral process.
“The people of Osun are peaceful, politically conscious and deeply committed to democracy. They deserve a free, fair, transparent and credible election that reflects the genuine wishes of the electorate,” Oyewumi added.
He urged INEC to carefully consider the concerns raised and implement necessary corrective measures before the August 15 governorship election.
Fourteen political parties are participating in the election. The leading contenders include the incumbent Governor Ademola Adeleke, Bola Oyebamiji of the All Progressives Congress (APC), and Dr Najeem Salaam of the African Democratic Congress (ADC).
He also faulted the ongoing PVC distribution, insisting it must be transparent and free from proxy collection or any attempt to disenfranchise voters.
“We have serious concerns about the transparency of the process. Any move to disenfranchise Osun voters by withholding their PVCs will not be tolerated,” he said.
Oyewumi said the concerns were meant to strengthen Nigeria’s electoral process and urged INEC to act before the poll.
“The people of Osun are peaceful, politically conscious and deeply committed to democracy. They deserve a free, fair, transparent and credible election that reflects the genuine wishes of the electorate,” he added.
Fourteen political parties are participating in the election. The leading contenders are incumbent Governor Ademola Adeleke, Bola Oyebamiji of the All Progressives Congress (APC), and Dr Najeem Salaam of the African Democratic Congress (ADC).
