Voter Suppression Alleged in Ikire as Voters Claim Non-APC Supporters Were Turned Away

Voters at Ward 9, Unit 3, in Ikire, Irewole Local Government Area, have raised allegations of voter suppression, claiming they were barred from casting their ballots unless they supported the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the ongoing Osun State governorship election.

The location, identified as the voting station associated with the family of APC governorship candidate Bola Oyebamiji, reportedly became a flashpoint when individuals at the polling unit insisted that only votes for the ruling party would be permitted.

One affected voter, Adeosun Folashade, publicly decried the situation, stating that members of the Accord Party, the African Democratic Congress (ADC), and other opposition groups were actively blocked from participating.

“They didn’t allow Accord Party members to vote. They said it’s only one party people are allowed to vote for the All Progressives Congress party candidate, Bola Oyebamiji. We do not want it like that,” Folashade stated.

The incident in Ikire joins a growing list of voter suppression and security complaints reported across the state on election day. Earlier in the day, violent disruptions were reported in Ejigbo Local Government Area, where voters at the polling unit of ADC candidate Najeem Salam were forced to flee after armed thugs invaded the area. Simultaneously, Governor Ademola Adeleke raised concerns regarding external police interference in his hometown of Ede.

While electoral authorities and security agencies have yet to issue an official response regarding the specific claims in Ikire, the reports have amplified calls from civil society groups and election observers for immediate intervention to ensure all registered citizens can freely cast their votes without coercion.