The Imole Campaign Council, representing Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke, has raised serious allegations against the All Progressives Congress (APC), claiming a deliberate plot to prematurely conclude voting in specific parts of the state during the August 15 governorship election. According to the council, this alleged scheme is designed to target Governor Adeleke’s political strongholds and aims to suppress voter turnout.
In a statement issued Monday in Osogbo, Pelumi Olajengbesi, spokesman for the campaign council, asserted that the APC intends to pressure the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) into abruptly ending the electoral process by 12 noon. This, the council argues, constitutes a calculated effort to disenfranchise eligible voters in areas where Governor Adeleke reportedly commands significant support.
“The people of Osun State must be allowed to exercise their constitutional right to vote freely and peacefully without obstruction, intimidation or deliberate disenfranchisement,” the statement emphasized. The Imole Campaign Council urged INEC to firmly resist any political influence and strictly adhere to established electoral procedures and timelines. They insisted that no polling unit should be arbitrarily closed while eligible voters are present and waiting to cast their ballots within the stipulated voting period.
The council further accused the APC of a series of attempts to manipulate the electoral landscape. They highlighted previous efforts to disqualify Governor Adeleke and his party from the ballot through legal challenges. When these measures allegedly failed to diminish support for the governor, the council claimed the APC resorted to tactics involving law enforcement, leading to the arrest, intimidation, and harassment of Accord Party members. The current alleged plot to influence INEC, the council contended, represents another step in these ongoing efforts to undermine the electoral process.
However, the campaign council did not provide specific details or intelligence that formed the basis of these significant allegations.
In a broader appeal, the Imole Campaign Council called on INEC to ensure that electoral rules are applied uniformly across Osun State, free from “fear, favour, or political interference.” They also urged civil society organizations, election observers, international bodies, and the media to closely monitor the election, serving as critical watchdogs against any potential manipulation of state institutions.
The statement concluded by stressing the wider implications of the Osun election: “The Osun State governorship election is a precursor to the 2027 general elections, and it must be free, fair, transparent and devoid of any manipulation or disenfranchisement.” The council reiterated that Osun citizens are ready and must be allowed to vote, with every lawful vote ultimately counted.