Osun Decides 2026: Governor Adeleke Decries BVAS Delays and Voter Intimidation

Osun State Governor and Accord Party candidate Ademola Adeleke has expressed deep dissatisfaction with the conduct of the ongoing governorship election, raising serious concerns over voter intimidation and technical glitches across multiple polling units. Speaking live on Osun Radio on Saturday, Adeleke revealed that he had received numerous reports detailing malfunctioning Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) machines and targeted voter harassment in key local government areas.

The governor noted that slow accreditation processes have caused severe backlogs, frustrating voters who turned out in large numbers to exercise their franchise. Calling on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to address the mechanical issues immediately, Adeleke emphasized that eager citizens were being unnecessarily delayed at the polls.

Beyond technical failures, Adeleke raised alarms regarding security and election violence in specific regions. He accused political thugs—specifically naming an individual known as Enuku—of disrupting voting processes and chasing his supporters away in Olorunda and Irewole Local Government Areas. Expressing frustration over security operations, the governor questioned the neutrality of police officers on the ground, alleging that certain operatives appeared to be aiding political opponents in Ikire.

Despite the disruptions, Adeleke urged his supporters to remain calm, exercise their franchise, and protect their votes through lawful means. Reassuring residents that the election represents a single day of civic responsibility that must not be compromised by fear, he called on voters to stand firm against intimidation and ensure their votes are counted.