Adeleke, Oyebamiji running neck and neck

• As of 11:00pm, early results from 3, 292 PUs put gov’s party, Accord, in lead; APC’s Oyebamiji in close pursuit

• Adeleke raises alarm over alleged plot to hijack collation centres

By Oluseye Ojo and Lateef Dada

Governor Ademola Adeleke of Osun State, who is seeking re-election on the platform of the Accord (A), and Bola Oyebamiji, the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate, were locked in a tight race on Saturday night as results from 3,292 of Osun State’s 3,763 polling units had been uploaded to the Independent National Electoral Commission’s (INEC) Result Viewing (IReV) portal.

The development came amid a fresh alarm by the Imole Campaign Council, the campaign organisation of Adeleke, over an alleged plot to hijack collation centres and frustrate what it described as the governor’s ‘imminent victory’.

The council alleged that some governors and APC leaders were coordinating a plan to compel INEC to declare the election inconclusive, describing the alleged move as sinister and undemocratic.

In a statement signed by Bamidele Salam, Chairman of its Media and Publicity Committee, the council urged INEC to resist any attempt to subvert the will of the electorate and ensure that the collation process remained transparent.

It also called on the Inspector-General of Police, Director-General of the Department of State Services, Commandant-General of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps and other security agencies to provide adequate protection for collation centres across the state.

The council alleged that hoodlums hired by the APC might attempt to disrupt collation and claimed that ballot boxes had already been hijacked at some polling units.

“We note with sadness the hijack of ballot boxes already recorded in a few polling units by these thugs and demand that perpetrators be arrested to face the full wrath of the law,” it said.

The allegations could not be independently verified as of press time.

As of 8:48p.m., the 3,292 uploaded results represented 87.48 per cent of the state’s polling units. According to results monitored on the IReV portal by Dataphyte, the uploaded results recorded 884,110 total votes, comprising 866,951 valid votes and 17,159 rejected votes, from 1,962,419 registered voters.

Adeleke was leading with 52.51 per cent of the valid votes in the uploaded results, while Oyebamiji had 44.54 per cent, although collation was still ongoing in several local government areas.

The emerging results showed a mixed pattern across the state. Accord recorded strong performances in several polling units, including St John’s School I, Asipa, where it scored 220 votes against APC’s 119; the Post Office, Asipa, where it polled 208 against 124; and Apostolic School, Idi-Ita, where it secured 195 against APC’s 35.

Accord also led at several polling units in Ila Orangun, Isokan, Irepodun, Ife Central, Egbedore, Ede South and Iwo.

APC, however, maintained leads in several other polling units, including Akodi Wanmisanni, Oke Okuta, Ife East, where it scored 93 against Accord’s 42; Akinjepo Village, Obokun, where it polled 242 against 133; Ataoja area of Osogbo, 105 against 56; and Irewole, 138 against 42.

Also, the emerging figures triggered jubilation among Adeleke’s supporters in parts of the state, with some expressing confidence that the incumbent governor was on course for re-election.

In Ogo-Oluwa, residents were seen celebrating and singing, ‘Owó wo gbo, owó wo gbo, ₦30,000, owo wo gbo:, while mocking the APC and praising Adeleke. The song was reportedly a reference to alleged ₦30,000 cash distributions by APC supporters before the election, with residents claiming they collected the money but voted for Accord.

However, tension rose in Osogbo after sporadic gunshots were reportedly heard around Ward 4 collation centre following an alleged attack by suspected thugs. The incident caused panic among voters and residents before security personnel moved in to restore calm.

With 471 polling-unit results yet to be uploaded, the final outcome remained uncertain as collation continued.

The Imole Campaign Council appealed to local and international observers to monitor the collation process closely and speak out against any attempt to undermine the election.

It also reminded INEC and security agencies of President Bola Tinubu’s directive that the Osun election must not be compromised.

INEC had yet to declare the final result as of press time.

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