AHEAD OF AUGUST 15TH OSUN 2026 GOVERNORSHIP ELECTION, ADELEKE’S CAMPAIGN COUNCIL RAISES 10 POSERS FOR INEC
Gentlemen of the Press,
We have invited you today to draw the attention of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), security agencies, election observers, political stakeholders and the general public to a number of lapses observed in most of the recently conducted elections by INEC—such as the 2026 FCT Area Council Election, Ekiti State 2026 Governorship Election, and the June 20 2026 bye-elections conducted in Enugu, Nasarawa, Ondo, Rivers, Kano, and Kebbi States—and why those lapses must not be allowed to reoccur in the forthcoming Osun 2026 Governorship Election scheduled for Saturday, 15th August, 2026.
The Imole Campaign Council (TICC) firmly believes that elections derive their legitimacy from public confidence. Once citizens begin to lose faith in the integrity of the electoral process, democracy itself becomes endangered. It is against this background that we consider it a patriotic duty to raise these concerns now, while there is still sufficient time for the electoral umpire to address them.
Our position is informed by official reports of accredited election observers, publicly-available evidence, independent reviews by our election surveillance team, and the different experiences shared by voters during the above-listed elections.
Accordingly, we call on INEC to urgently address the following observations ahead of the Osun governorship election:
1. Deployment of Insufficient ballot papers and other sensitive materials
We are deeply concerned by the serious lapses observed during the 2026 FCT Area Council elections, particularly in the deployment and safeguarding of ballot papers and other sensitive materials. As reported by several election observer groups, in several polling units, particularly in Abaji Area Council, ballot papers were reportedly missing or allegedly snatched, leading to the suspension or stalling of voting and creating avoidable tension between voters, party agents, and the security personnel.
Beyond the immediate disruption to voting, the FCT experience revealed a pattern of disenfranchisement that flows directly from poor planning and operational execution. Where ballot papers and key materials were absent or insufficient at the scheduled opening of polls, voters were either turned back, compelled to wait for long hours, or reassigned under ad-hoc arrangements that raised questions about transparency and fairness.
From the foregoing, the Imole Campaign Council hereby insists that INEC must address these weaknesses decisively ahead of the Osun 2026 Governorship Election. The Commission should be required to demonstrate, in verifiable terms, that: (i) every polling unit has a clearly documented and publicly accessible record of the quantity of ballot papers and other sensitive materials deployed; (ii) chain of custody procedures are tightened with clear sanctions for diversion, negligence, or tampering; and (iii) real time reporting mechanisms are in place to detect and rectify shortages or irregularities to avoid disenfranchisement of voters.
2. Distribution of PVCs to Suspected Mercenary Voters
One of the most disturbing developments in recent off cycle and bye-elections conducted by INEC in Ogun, Oyo, Jigawa, Nasarawa, Kano, Ekiti states etc was the widely circulated viral video showing individuals suspected to be mercenary voters allegedly receiving Permanent Voter's Cards (PVC) shortly before voting. Till this moment, INEC has failed to either provide any satisfactory explanation or debunk the authenticity of the incident outright.
This silence has further heightened public anxiety. Such an open display of what appears to be organised electoral fraud must never be contemplated in Osun State.
We therefore warn that the people of Osun will not tolerate any attempt to import mercenary voters or manipulate the electoral process through unlawful distribution of PVCs.
3. Alleged Distribution of Already Thumbprinted Ballot Papers
Equally disturbing was the viral video of protesting voters during the 2026 Ekiti State Governorship Election and FCT local council elections who alleged that the ballot paper given to them was already thumb‑printed before it even reached their hands.
While we refrain from making definitive conclusions on the incident, INEC owes Nigerians a duty to guarantee that every ballot paper and every result sheet deployed for the Osun election remains secure, untampered with and inaccessible to unauthorized persons. There must be no opportunity whatsoever for the cloning or duplication of sensitive election materials.
4. Wrong Parties on Ballots and Result Sheets
Various observer groups reported incidents in recent elections in Anambra, Ekiti, FCT elections etc where political parties that did not present candidates for the poll appeared on both the ballot papers and result sheets used for the exercise. This is not a minor administrative error; it strikes at the core of electoral integrity by confusing voters, creating room for void or misdirected ballots, and casting doubt on the accuracy and reliability of official result documentation.
This Ekiti experience must serve as a strong early‑warning signal to the electoral umpire as we prepare for the forthcoming governorship election in Osun State. INEC must subject ballot papers and result‑sheet templates to rigorous verification and ensure that only duly nominated and cleared parties appear on all sensitive materials for the election.
5. Technical Challenges Associated with BVAS
Reports from several observer groups on the 2026 Ekiti State Governorship Election, and FCT council elections revealed that BVAS machines experienced operational difficulties during accreditation, particularly affecting elderly voters whose facial features could not be properly captured.
Technology should make elections easier, not become an obstacle to the exercise of constitutional rights. We therefore urge INEC to thoroughly test, calibrate and deploy fully functional BVAS machines across Osun State to ensure that no eligible voter is disenfranchised because of age or technical failures.
6. Reports of Voting Without PVCs
We are equally alarmed by reports from credible election observers, particularly the Nigeria Civil Society Situation Room indicating that some individuals were allegedly permitted to vote without presenting Permanent Voter's Cards during the Ekiti governorship election, specifically in Ekiti West LGA (Ward 5, PU 03). This was in clear contravention of the provisions of section 47 of the Electoral Act (2026).
Appropriate verification as prescribed by law remains the foundation of electoral credibility, and the PVC remains the primary instrument for establishing the identity and eligibility of voters within Nigeria's electoral legal framework.
Allowing individuals to vote without presenting their PVCs creates dangerous opportunities for impersonation, multiple voting and the participation of mercenary voters. This undermines public confidence and provides a fertile ground for electoral manipulation. The Imole Campaign Council rejects such practice in its entirety.
7. Findings of Yiaga Africa
We note with deep concern the recent findings by Yiaga Africa on the Ekiti 2026 Governorship Election, which, despite acknowledging some logistical improvements, highlighted serious integrity red flags, including widespread vote buying, lapses in results management, BVAS‑related accreditation challenges, inconsistencies in the handling of sensitive election materials, breaches of ballot secrecy, and inadequate public communication by the electoral umpire.
Therefore, we call on INEC to treat these issues as a clear early‑warning signal and to implement concrete, transparent safeguards to prevent their repetition in the August 2026 Osun Governorship Election, so as to preserve public confidence and protect the sanctity of the people’s mandate.
8. Adequate Deployment of BVAS Machines
Our Election Surveillance and Data Analysis Unit has carried out an immediate clinical assessment of the recently published voters register for Osun State.
Our findings indicate that a significant number of the over three thousand polling units across the state have more than one thousand registered voters, which must necessitate the deployment of additional BVAS machines to such polling units in line with the provisions of section 23 of INEC’s Regulations and Guidelines for the Conduct of Elections, 2026, to prevent avoidable delays, prolonged voting hours, voter frustration and the disenfranchisement witnessed in previous elections in the State.
Therefore, INEC must make adequate preparations by deploying sufficient numbers election personnel, BVAS machines, and other accreditation equipment to such heavily populated polling units. This is necessary to ensure that every registered voter is given a reasonable opportunity to vote within the stipulated time.
9. Allegations of Preloaded BVAS and Illegal Result Sheets
We have been inundated with boastful statements reportedly made by some Osun APC leaders about preloading BVAS machines ahead of the governorship election in the State. This claim, if true, strikes at the heart of electronic accreditation and suggests a pre determined outcome rather than the genuine will of the people. It is a calculated attempt to intimidate voters, erode confidence in the process, and create the impression that the election has been technologically-compromised before voting even begins.
Equally disturbing are reported claims by the same actors about the illegal printing of extra result sheets for the election. Any manipulation or duplication of result sheets is a direct attack on transparent collation and authenticity of election results, and could enable dangerous practices such as substitution, inflation, or alteration of vote figures.
In the light of these troubling indications, the Imole Campaign Council calls on INEC, security agencies, and all relevant authorities to urgently investigate these boasts, secure and audit all BVAS devices and result sheets, and publicly reassure the people of Osun State that robust safeguards are in place to prevent any form of tampering or pre‑programming that could compromise the sanctity of the August 15th 2026 Governorship Election.
Conclusion
Ladies and Gentlemen, the purpose of this press conference is not to undermine confidence in INEC but to strengthen the electoral process through constructive engagement. The Osun governorship election presents another important opportunity for Nigeria to demonstrate that democratic institutions can continue to improve and inspire public confidence.
The people of Osun are peaceful, politically conscious and deeply committed to democracy. They expect nothing short of a free, fair, transparent and credible election that faithfully reflects the wishes of the electorates.
We therefore call on INEC to treat these observations with the seriousness they deserve and to implement all necessary corrective measures before August 15.
We equally urge security agencies to remain neutral, professional, and vigilant throughout the electoral process while calling on political parties and their supporters to conduct themselves peacefully.
Finally, we assure the people of Osun that the Imole Campaign Council will continue to engage every lawful democratic institution to protect the sanctity of their votes. The votes of Osun people must count, and every legitimate vote must be protected.
Thank you and God bless the people of Osun State.
Distinguished Senator Kamarudeen Olalere Oyewumi
Director-General
The Imole Campaign Council (TICC)
