The Osun state governorship election is itching to a close across the state. As at press time, some eligible voters were still being attended to by officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
Recall that according to the INEC timetable, the election was scheduled to commence by 8:30am and end by 2:30pm. However, owing to some logistical challenges in some polling units and local governments, the election did not commence to time.
A total of 15 parties are on the ballot for the off-cycle election, with the incumbent, Ademola Adeleke, whose first term ends in November, seeking a fresh mandate on the ticket of the Accord Party.
The other contenders for the governorship seat, according to INEC, are Najeem Salaam (ADC), Olanrewaju Farinloye (AA), Esan Olajide (AAC), Adeagbo Opawoye (ADP), Clement Adesuyi (APP), Masilo Adeleke (BP), Taofeek Adeleke (NNPP), Saliu Oyelami (PRP), Ogunsakin Olalekan (YPP), Adefemi Adesuyi (ZLP), and Francis Olugbenga (SDP), who was added to the list on Wednesday courtesy of a court judgement.
However, many political pundits have described the race to the Bola Ige House, Abere, Osogbo as a three-way contest between incumbent Adeleke, Oyebamiji and Salaam.
The state has 2,339,233 registered voters, but 1,906,390 of them, representing 81.50 per cent, who collected Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs), are eligible to participate in today’s poll. They will vote in the 3,763 Polling Units (PUs) spread across the 332 wards of the 30 local government areas in the South-west state.
The off-season governorship election is the second in the year and the last before the 2027 General Election. It will, therefore, serve as a litmus test for INEC, which has commenced preparations for the general election. It is also the third major poll, after those of the FCT Area Council and Ekiti governorship elections, to be conducted since the Electoral Act 2026, which contains new guidelines on election conduct, was signed by President Bola Tinubu in February.
However, statewide monitoring of the election by NewsClick Nigeria team revealed some peculiarities compared to other election circles.
Unprecedented voter turnout
Across polling units and local governments visited, NewsClick Nigeria can authoritatively report that the voter turnout was massive with the INEC officials having challenges organising and attending to the voters in some cases.
Recall that INEC had earlier spotlighted the state has having the highest number of newly registered voters. The state has a total of 2,339,233 registered voters, out of which 1,906,390 of them, representing 81.50 per cent, collected Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) and are eligible to cast their votes.
Unlike in previous election circles where voter turnout is abysmally low, voters in this particular election are not taking chances.
Impressive security coverage
Another thing worth highlighting is the professional conduct of officials of the various security outfits deployed for the poll. These include; The Nigeria Police Force (NPF), The Nigeria Army (NA), National Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) and a host of others.
“The security officials have been wholesome so far. They’ve been very professional and neutral in discharge of their duties. All through our driving today to various polling units, we never witnessed any form of harassment,” one of our reporters detailing his experience said.
Low violent incidents
While there are a number of cases of violence recorded in some local government and polling units, however, this is low compared what was usually obtainable in the past
