AKINWALE ABOLUWADE
The police have intercepted 146 intending voters at the residence of a member of the Osun State House of Assembly, Abiola Ibrahim, in Ikire, Irewole Local Government Area, as voting commenced in Saturday’s governorship election.
The development occurred amid concerns raised by the state Governor, Ademola Adeleke, over the Independent National Electoral Commission’s alleged plan to bypass the prescribed process for collating election results.
A video circulating on social media showed armed police officers questioning Ibrahim, who represents the Irewole/Isokan State Constituency, over the presence of the large group at the residence in the early hours of Saturday.
The individuals were seen sitting on the floor as the security operatives questioned the lawmaker about why they had gathered at the property.
Ibrahim identified the building as the residence of his late father, Raji Ibrahim, and told the officers that the people were voters who had gathered for the election. “They are voters for the election happening today,” the lawmaker said.
The officers subsequently asked whether the individuals were registered voters residing in Ikire. In response, Ibrahim said some were residents of the community while others came from outside the area.
“Some of them are, some of them are indigenes from outside. I did not hire them. I did not promise anything,” he said. The security operatives also questioned the lawmaker about the political affiliation of those gathered and whether he was mobilising them for a particular candidate.
“Voting is their choice. I’m not their agent,” Ibrahim replied, while confirming that he is a member of the Accord Party. The footage also showed security operatives holding Permanent Voter Cards, which Ibrahim said belonged to the individuals at the residence.
The circumstances surrounding the gathering and whether the individuals were subsequently detained or released had not been officially clarified as of the time of filing this report.
The incident comes amid heightened security across Osun State, with the police deploying personnel to monitor the election and warning against electoral malpractice, unlawful voter mobilisation and other acts capable of undermining the poll.
Meanwhile, Adeleke has raised concerns over the alleged plan by INEC to alter the prescribed process for the collation of results.
The governor spoke shortly after casting his ballot at his polling unit in Ede North Local Government Area. He also accused the police of tear-gassing voters in Obaagun, Modakeke, but did not provide evidence to substantiate the allegation.
Adeleke claimed he had received information that INEC might take election results directly to the state collation centre instead of following the prescribed process from polling units to wards and then local government areas.
“I have it on authority that they (INEC) don’t want to go through the normal process of units to wards and to local government. They just want to take it all the way to the collation centre, and that is not acceptable,” he said.
He urged the electoral commission to adhere to the established procedure, adding, “They must follow the rule, and that is why I am alerting my people to watch out.”
Adeleke, who is seeking re-election on the Accord Party platform, expressed confidence in victory. “I know, by the special grace of God, I’m winning this election,” he said.
The Osun governorship election is being held across the state’s 30 local government areas, with security agencies maintaining heightened surveillance as voting and the collation of results continue.
INEC has consistently maintained that it is committed to conducting a free, fair and credible election in accordance with the Electoral Act and its guidelines.
