Osun Election: Heavy Security, Early Queues as Voting Begins Across State
OSOGBO — Residents across Osun State have begun turning out to vote in the 2026 governorship election, with early activity recorded at polling units in several local government areas.
The election opened under tight security, particularly around the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) office along Abere Road in Osogbo, where armed soldiers were deployed to the area.
The soldiers were seen stopping and searching motorists and vehicles using the road. Some residents were also prevented from proceeding along the route as security checks continued.
Away from the INEC office, voters and electoral officials arrived at several polling units early in the morning, with some voters already waiting before the arrival of voting materials.
At Unit 9, Ward 2, Ede North Local Government Area, the polling unit associated with Governor Ademola Adeleke, voters and INEC ad hoc staff were on ground ahead of the scheduled 8:30am commencement of voting.
In Ilesa West, voters at Idi-Iroko/Itakogun Unit, Ward 008, were seen checking their names in preparation for accreditation.
At Ward 3, Unit 16 in Iragbiji, Boripe Local Government Area, voters arrived before electoral officers. Some had reportedly been waiting since 7:15am.
Iragbiji is the hometown of former Osun governor and Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola.
At Orisunbare Village Polling Unit 001, Alajue, Ede South, election materials were being arranged while prospective voters waited to be accredited.
Early arrivals were also recorded at Ward 4, Unit 6 in Ede North, where both INEC ad hoc staff and voters were already present.
At Gulf Junction, Ogo-Oluwa Ward 4, Unit 2 in Osogbo, prospective voters were waiting from about 7:13am for electoral officials and materials.
In Iwo Local Government Area, personnel and sensitive election materials were moved to Registration Area Centres, while at RA 13, NUD Primary School, Oyan, Odo-Otin Local Government Area, officials checked election materials and conducted simulation exercises before deployment to polling units.
The Ede-Akoda Road was also largely deserted in the early hours of the election.
Among those who turned up to vote was 48-year-old Oluwatoyin Fapounda, a physically challenged housewife from Unit 1, Ward 5, Ijamu, Ilesa East.
A total of 1,906,390 registered voters are expected to participate in the election, with 14 candidates listed across the participating political parties.
The candidates include incumbent Governor Ademola Adeleke of the Accord Party and Bola Oyebamiji of the All Progressives Congress, alongside candidates of the Action Alliance, African Action Congress, African Democratic Congress, African Democratic Party, Social Democratic Party, APGA, APP, Boot Party, NNPP, PRP, YPP and Zenith Labour Party.
The election is being closely watched as voters across the state decide who will occupy the Osun State Government House.
Stay with us for live updates from polling units and communities across Osun State as voting, accreditation and counting unfold.
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