Voters turned out in large numbers across Osun State on Saturday for the governorship election, despite widespread security operations that resulted in the arrest of nearly 180 people, including a lawmaker and key political figures.
Voting got underway smoothly in most areas, with Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) officials deploying early across polling stations. Long queues were reported in several local government areas during the closely watched contest.
Incumbent Governor Ademola Adeleke, contesting under the Accord Party, cast his vote alongside his wife at his polling unit in Ede North. Speaking shortly after voting, Adeleke described the process as orderly and voiced confidence in his re-election bid.
However, the election was shadowed by heavy security interventions. The Osun State Police Command confirmed the arrest of a serving member of the State House of Assembly, Abiola Ibrahim Inaolaji, alongside 146 suspected electoral mercenaries at his residence in Ikire. Police stated that over 200 Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) were recovered during the raid.
In a separate action, police detained an additional 33 suspects in Ede, bringing total arrests to 179. Opposition representatives also raised concerns over pre-election crackdowns, alleging that key party officials and allies were subjected to arrests and harassment ahead of polling.
Despite localized disruptions and reports of political tension, security forces maintained a visible presence across key flashpoints, and civil society observers noted steady voter participation throughout the day.
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