Chinwe Odita
Osun State Governor and Accord Party candidate, Senator Ademola Adeleke, has raised the alarm over alleged attempts by suspected thugs to hijack collation centres as counting of votes continues in the August 15 governorship election.
Adeleke, who voted early in Ede, made the allegation on Saturday while reacting to reports reaching him from different parts of the state.
He called on security agencies to secure all Registration Area Centres, RACs, and collation centres to prevent any breakdown of law and order.
“We are getting reports of attempts by some unscrupulous elements and thugs to hijack collation centres and manipulate the will of the people.
I urge the security agencies to act swiftly to protect INEC officials and the sanctity of the ballot,” Adeleke said.
He urged voters and party agents to remain peaceful but vigilant, and to ensure that results are properly recorded and transmitted.
Meanwhile, results from Adeleke’s stronghold in Ede have started trickling in, with the Accord candidate securing an early lead.
In the results announced from several wards in Ede Local Government Area, Adeleke polled wide margins to take the lead ahead of other contenders, including APC’s Bola Oyebamiji.
Party agents and observers at the collation centres in Ede said the Accord swept most of the polling units in the governor’s hometown.
Adeleke expressed confidence that the trend would be replicated across the state, saying the people had spoken through their votes.
“I believe Osun people have decided. The results coming in so far reflect the will of the people and the massive support we have received,” he said.
As of the time of filing this report, INEC was still collating results from other local government areas.
Security personnel have been deployed to strategic collation centres across the 30 LGAs following concerns raised by stakeholders, including civil society groups and party leaders.
Both the APC and Accord have urged their supporters to remain calm and shun violence as the process continues.
The final results of the Osun governorship election are expected to be announced by INEC at the state collation centre in Osogbo.
