OSUNDECIDES#: Early update as at 10am, Saturday, August 15, 2026

*Accord’s Adeleke, APC ‘s Oyebamiji vote in Ede, Iragbiji, respectively, as voting begins peacefully

*Vote buying still inevitably recorded as APC, Accord offer N10,000, N20,000 respectively per voter

By KEMI KASUMU and OUR REPORTER, Osogbo

Early voter turnout and a heavy security presence were reported in Osogbo, Ede and Ilesa, with voters beginning the accreditation and voting process without major disruptions reported in those areas as of the morning.

Voting is underway across Osun State as residents of the 30 local government areas head to polling units to elect the state’s next governor in the keenly contested 2026 governorship election.

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) fixed Saturday, August 15, 2026, for the poll after earlier shifting the election date from August 8.

Reports from different parts of the state indicate that voting commenced relatively peacefully, with INEC ad hoc personnel and election materials arriving early at several polling units.

Early voter turnout and a heavy security presence were reported in Osogbo, Ede and Ilesa, with voters beginning the accreditation and voting process without major disruptions reported in those areas as of the morning.

It was reportedly confirmed that the election is being conducted across all 30 local government areas of Osun State.

Incumbent Governor and Accord Party candidate Ademola Adeleke was among the early voters.

Adeleke arrived at Polling Unit 009, Ward 02, Abogunde Compound, Ede North Local Government Area, at about 8:10 a.m., where he subsequently cast his ballot.

His participation marks an important early moment in a contest in which he is seeking another term in office.

At Ward 10, Unit 01, Oloti area, Iragbiji, Boripe Local Government Area, voters, security personnel and INEC officials were reported to have arrived early ahead of the expected voting activity involving APC candidate Munirudeen Bola Oyebamiji.

The polling unit is also associated with former Osun Governor and current Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, who was expected to vote there.

Security personnel have been visibly deployed in several parts of the state as authorities seek to prevent violence and electoral malpractice.

The heightened security presence comes against the background of concerns about political violence during the campaign period. Earlier in July, the Inspector-General of Police, Tunji Disu, met Governor Adeleke and other stakeholders in Osogbo over concerns about political violence ahead of the election.

Political parties also signed a peace accord in July, committing themselves to a peaceful and credible election.

Despite the generally calm opening of the poll, allegations of vote buying have remained one of the major concerns surrounding the election.

There were reported allegations that supporters of the APC and Accord Party had offered voters between ₦10,000 and ₦20,000 in some parts of the state before the election. These are allegations reported by the newspaper and should not be treated as established facts against either party without independent verification.

As of 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, August 15, 2026, voting was still in progress and no official result had been declared.

The focus at this stage remains on voter accreditation, ballot casting, the conduct of polling officials and party agents, security at polling units, and the eventual counting and collation of votes.

INEC remains the authority responsible for announcing the official results. The Commission had formally scheduled the Osun governorship election for August 15, 2026.

The contest is being closely watched because of the leading candidates, particularly: Ademola Adeleke — Accord Party, incumbent governor; Munirudeen Bola Oyebamiji — All Progressives Congress (APC) and Najeem Salaam — African Democratic Congress (ADC).

The election is expected to be closely contested, with the outcome likely to determine the political direction of Osun State ahead of Nigeria’s wider 2027 political cycle.

As at 10 a.m.: voting is ongoing, early reports indicate a generally peaceful process in several locations, security presence is strong, and there is no official result yet.