Osun Votes: Soldiers Tighten Security as Voters Arrive Polling Units Across State
OSOGBO — Voting is getting underway across Osun State as voters turn out in different communities to participate in the 2026 governorship election, amid heightened security around key locations.
Armed military personnel have taken over the road leading to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) office along Abere Road in Osogbo, where motorists and vehicles using the route are being stopped and searched.
Some residents heading to their destinations were reportedly stopped by the soldiers and prevented from proceeding.
At polling locations across the state, voters and electoral officials have also been arriving early, with some polling units recording queues before the scheduled commencement of accreditation and voting.
In Ede North Local Government Area, voters and INEC ad hoc personnel were already at Unit 9, Ward 2, the polling unit associated with the governor, ahead of the scheduled 8:30am commencement.
At Idi-Iroko/Itakogun Unit, Ward 008 in Ilesa West, voters were seen checking their names as they prepared to cast their ballots.
In Iragbiji, Boripe Local Government Area, voters arrived at Ward 3, Unit 16, before electoral officers. Some had reportedly been waiting since about 7:15am.
The area is the hometown of former Osun State governor and Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola.
At Orisunbare Village Polling Unit 001, Alajue, Ede South, election materials were being arranged while prospective voters waited for accreditation.
A similar early start was recorded at Ward 4, Unit 6 in Ede North, where INEC ad hoc staff and voters arrived ahead of the voting process.
At Gulf Junction, Ogo-Oluwa Ward 4, Unit 2 in Osogbo, prospective voters were already waiting by about 7:13am for electoral officials and materials.
Election materials and personnel were also being moved to Registration Area Centres in Iwo Local Government Area.
At RA 13, NUD Primary School in Oyan, Odo-Otin Local Government Area, election materials were checked and simulation exercises conducted before their movement to polling units.
Meanwhile, the Ede-Akoda Road was largely deserted in the early hours of the election.
One of the voters seen at the polls was 48-year-old Oluwatoyin Fapounda, a physically challenged housewife from Unit 1, Ward 5, Ijamu, Ilesa East.
Today’s election is expected to attract 1,906,390 registered voters, who will choose the next governor of Osun State from candidates representing various political parties.
The candidates listed for the election are:
- Ademola Adeleke — Accord Party
- Farinloye Olarenwaju — Action Alliance
- Esan Olajide — African Action Congress
- Najeem Salaam — African Democratic Congress
- Adeagbo Opawoye — African Democratic Party
- Mustapha Adeniyi — Social Democratic Party
- Bola Oyebamiji — All Progressives Congress
- Adesina Aseyemi-Doro — All Progressives Grand Alliance
- Clement Adesuyi — Action Peoples Party
- Masilo Adeleke — Boot Party
- Taofeek Adeleke — New Nigeria Peoples Party
- Saliu Oyelami — Peoples Redemption Party
- Ogunsakin Olalekan — Young Progressives Party
- Adefemi Adesuyi — Zenith Labour Party
Stay with us for continuing coverage of the Osun governorship election, with updates from polling units and communities across the state
