Osun 2026: Adeleke urges voters to protect their votes

Ede (Osun) – Gov. Ademola Adeleke of Osun on Saturday urged voters to participate actively in the governorship election, protect their votes and remain vigilant throughout voting and collation across the state.

Adeleke spoke shortly after casting his ballot at Ward 2, Unit 9, Sagba Abogunde, Ede, where he encouraged eligible citizens to exercise their constitutional rights peacefully and responsibly.

He urged the electorate to come out en masse, saying every eligible voter should participate in the election, protect their votes and ensure their choices were properly recorded.

The governor also called on electoral officials to maintain transparent procedures during voting and collation, urging stakeholders to follow established guidelines and strengthen public confidence in the process.

“We have it on good authority that fake results have been prepared for some local governments. There are concerns about attempts to replace genuine results during collation.

“There are plans to move some local government collation centres to the state capital, but we will resist such moves and ensure that established procedures are respected.”

Adeleke further urged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to ensure that all Local Government Area results were collated at designated centres, rather than transferred elsewhere after voting.

“All collation must be done at each local government. Under no circumstances should local government collation be taken to the state capital.

“I am winning this election with wide margins. I have God and the people,” Adeleke said, expressing confidence while encouraging supporters and voters to remain peaceful, patient and law-abiding.

Meanwhile, voters across Osun reportedly turned out in large numbers to cast their ballots, demonstrating strong civic participation despite reports of sporadic incidents in some areas during voting.

Reports from various LGAs indicated high voter turnout, with voting progressing at several polling units as electoral officials continued the exercise and citizens participated actively across the state.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Adeleke, who is seeking re-election, cast his ballot earlier on Saturday in Ede North Local Government Area during the election.

NAN further reports that the election is being conducted across the 30 LGAs of Osun, with voters expected to complete voting before results are collated at designated centres across the state.