RismadarVoice Reporters, August 16, 2026
The Centre for Democracy and Development, CDD, has described the 2026 Osun State governorship election as largely peaceful, despite operational challenges and isolated incidents reported in some parts of the state.
The CDD-West Africa, through its Election Analysis Centre, EAC, assessed the election in a preliminary statement issued on Saturday in Abuja and signed by its Director, Dr Dauda Garuba, and the EAC Chairman, Prof. Victor Adetula.
The organisation said its observers monitored the election across all 30 local government areas, 332 registration areas and 3,763 polling units, relying on reports from field observers and credible media reports.
According to the CDD-EAC, the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, recorded a generally successful deployment, with officials arriving at 89.1 per cent of the polling units observed before 8:30 a.m.
It said officials arrived at the remaining 10.9 per cent of monitored polling units between 8:30 a.m. and 9:30 a.m.
The centre also noted INEC’s report that 3,556 polling units, representing 94.5 per cent of the total, had opened by 8:30 a.m.
However, it identified delays in some locations, particularly in Ife Central and Aiyedire Local Government Areas.
In Ife Central, the CDD said a political party agent was reportedly in possession of the voters’ register before INEC officials arrived, describing the development as requiring further clarification.
BVAS challenges recorded:
The election observers also documented technical difficulties involving the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System, including slow processing and problems with biometric authentication.
Such challenges were reported in Irepodun, Ejigbo, Obokun, Osogbo, Olorunda, Ola Oluwa, Ede North and Ede South Local Government Areas.
The CDD-EAC urged INEC to ensure the availability of functional backup equipment and rapid technical support whenever BVAS devices malfunction.
Vote-buying allegations:
The organisation also expressed concern over reports of vote buying and voter inducement at some polling locations.
Its observers reportedly witnessed vote solicitation around polling units in Ilesa East and Ola Oluwa.
The centre said media reports also alleged vote buying involving agents of the All Progressives Congress and Accord Party at a polling unit in Irewole Local Government Area.
It further disclosed that an individual was arrested by operatives of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission, ICPC, in Irepodun over alleged possession of signed result sheets.
The CDD-EAC called on law enforcement and anti-corruption agencies, including the ICPC, Economic and Financial Crimes Commission and the police, to investigate credible allegations of vote buying and prosecute offenders where evidence is established.
CDD raises security concerns:
On security, the centre said voting proceeded peacefully in many parts of Osun but recorded reports of violence in Ejigbo and Modakeke.
It said suspected thugs allegedly disrupted voting at Ward 4, Polling Unit 13, in Ejigbo, where the African Democratic Congress governorship candidate, Najeem Salaam, cast his ballot.
The organisation also called for an independent investigation into allegations that voters were tear-gassed in Modakeke and Obokun.
It urged security agencies to remain politically neutral, exercise restraint and protect voters irrespective of their political affiliations.
The CDD commended Osun voters, INEC officials and security personnel for their conduct during the election but warned that isolated incidents of violence, vote buying and technical failures should not be overlooked.
