- APC dismisses claim as baseless
By John Dike, Osogbo
The Imole Campaign Council pushing for the reelection of Governor Ademola Adeleke has alleged a plot to pressure the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) into ending voting as early as 12 noon in some local government areas during Saturday’s Osun State governorship election.
It warned that any such move could trigger chaos and disenfranchise thousands of eligible voters
The council made the allegation in a statement issued on Monday by its spokesperson, Pelumi Olajengbesi.
According to the council, it received what it described as “credible intelligence” indicating that unnamed individuals were planning to influence INEC into prematurely ending voting in local government areas considered strongholds of Governor Adeleke.
It alleged that the objective of the purported plan was to suppress votes and prevent eligible voters from participating fully in the electoral process.
“The Imole Campaign Council has received credible intelligence of an alleged plot by the All Progressives Congress (APC) to mount pressure on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to abruptly end voting by 12:00 noon in selected local government areas of Osun State during the August 15, 2026 governorship election,” the statement read.
“The desperate plot allegedly targets local government areas known to be political strongholds of Governor Ademola Adeleke, with the apparent objective of suppressing votes and disenfranchising thousands of eligible voters.”
The council warned that any attempt to end accreditation and voting before all eligible voters already on the queue had exercised their franchise would amount to a breach of electoral guidelines and could undermine the credibility of the election.
It cautioned that such a development could provoke avoidable tension and chaos in the affected areas.
The campaign therefore urged INEC to resist what it described as political pressure and ensure strict compliance with its electoral procedures and timelines.
“We call on INEC to resist every form of political pressure and strictly adhere to its established voting procedures and timelines. No polling unit should be arbitrarily closed while eligible voters who presented themselves within the stipulated voting period are still waiting to exercise their franchise.
“The rules must be applied uniformly across Osun State without fear, favour or political interference,” the statement added.
The council further alleged that previous attempts to weaken the Accord Party through litigation and the arrest of some of its members had failed, claiming that the alleged effort to influence voting procedures represented another strategy to undermine the electoral process.
Describing Saturday’s governorship election as a critical test of Nigeria’s democratic institutions ahead of the 2027 general elections, the campaign urged INEC to safeguard the integrity of the poll.
It also appealed to civil society organisations, domestic and international election observers, the media and the international community to closely monitor the conduct of the election and remain vigilant against any attempt to manipulate the process.
“The people of Osun State are ready to vote. They must be allowed to vote, and every lawful vote must count,” the statement concluded.
However, the Osun State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) dismissed the allegation as false, baseless and unfounded.
Reacting to the claim, the party’s Director of Media and Information, Mr. Kola Olabisi, described the allegation as a desperate attempt by the Adeleke campaign to create unnecessary panic ahead of the election.
Olabisi said there was no basis for the allegation and urged members of the public to disregard it in its entirety.
According to him, the APC remains committed to a peaceful, credible and transparent electoral process and has no reason to interfere with INEC’s constitutional responsibilities.
He argued that Governor Adeleke’s campaign organisation was merely expressing anxiety over what he described as the “imminent defeat” awaiting the governor at the governorship election.
“The allegation is baseless, unfounded and should be disregarded by the public. It is simply a reflection of the fear of imminent defeat confronting Governor Ademola Adeleke and his campaign organisation ahead of Saturday’s election,” Olabisi said.
He urged the electorate to remain peaceful and ignore what he called “unsubstantiated allegations capable of creating unnecessary apprehension,” expressing confidence that the election would be conducted in accordance with the Electoral Act and INEC guidelines.
