Adeleke Campaign Alleges Plot To End Osun Voting By Noon

The Imole Campaign Council has alleged a plot by the All Progressives Congress (APC) to pressure the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to abruptly end voting by 12 noon in some parts of Osun State during the August 15 governorship election.

The campaign council, in a statement issued on Monday in Osogbo by its spokesman, Pelumi Olajengbesi, claimed that the alleged plan targeted local government areas regarded as political strongholds of Governor Ademola Adeleke.

According to the council, the alleged move was aimed at suppressing votes and disenfranchising eligible voters in the affected areas.

“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 said.

The council urged INEC to resist any political pressure and adhere strictly to established voting procedures and timelines during the election.

It said, “No polling unit should be arbitrarily closed while eligible voters who presented themselves within the stipulated voting period are waiting to exercise their franchise.”

The campaign council further alleged that the APC had previously attempted to exclude Adeleke and his party from the ballot through legal challenges, and accused the party of subsequently resorting to arrests, intimidation and harassment of Accord Party members by the police.

It alleged that the purported attempt to influence INEC was another effort to undermine the electoral process after the earlier measures allegedly failed to weaken support for the governor.

However, the council did not provide details of the intelligence it said formed the basis of the allegation.

It called on INEC to ensure that electoral rules were applied uniformly across the state “without fear, favour or political interference.”

The council also urged civil society organisations, election observers, international bodies and the media to monitor the election closely and act as watchdogs against any attempt to manipulate state institutions.

“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 statement said.

“The people of Osun State are ready to vote. They must be allowed to vote, and every lawful vote must count.” (Daily trust)