Osun State voters are heading to the polls today to elect a governor who will lead the state for the next four years, with 15 political parties fielding candidates in the governorship election.

The candidates were confirmed in the final list released by the Independent National Electoral Commission, following the addition of the Social Democratic Party to the ballot.

The candidates include Accord’s Ademola Adeleke, Action Alliance’s Farinloye Olarenwaju, African Action Congress’ Esan Olajide, African Democratic Congress’ Najeem Salaam, African Democratic Party’s Adeagbo Opawoye, All Progressives Congress’ Bola Oyebamiji, APGA’s Adesina Adeyemi-Doro, Allied Peoples Movement’s Adewale Adebayo, Action Peoples Party’s Clement Adesuyi and Boot Party’s Masilo Adeleke.

Others are Taofeek Adeleke of the New Nigeria Peoples Party, Saliu Oyelami of the Peoples Redemption Party, Francis Olugbenga of the Social Democratic Party, Ogunsakin Olalekan of the Young Progressives Party and Adefemi Adesuyi of the Zenith Labour Party.

The APM and PDP candidates, Adebayo Adewale and Adedamola Adebayo, respectively, withdrew from the contest and endorsed incumbent Governor Ademola Adeleke.

Although 15 candidates are on the ballot, the election is largely regarded as a three-way contest involving Adeleke of Accord, Oyebamiji of the APC and Salaam of the ADC.

The Peoples Democratic Party and Labour Party are not participating in the election, despite the PDP winning the 2022 governorship poll with Adeleke as its candidate. Adeleke is now seeking re-election under the Accord platform following political realignments within the PDP.

Ahead of the poll, the opposition APC and ADC expressed confidence in their chances, while Adeleke and his campaign team largely avoided commenting on their expectations.

The ADC called on voters to remain peaceful and urged security agencies to maintain neutrality. Its campaign council spokesperson, Nurain Adebisi, also appealed to INEC to ensure transparency, proper logistics and strict adherence to electoral regulations.

Similarly, the APC expressed confidence in its candidate, Bola Oyebamiji, citing his extensive campaign across the state. The party also called on security agencies to take firm action against political thugs and urged INEC to comply fully with the Electoral Act.

Security concerns

Security remains one of the major concerns surrounding the election following reports of political violence during the campaign period.

Several areas, including Ede, Ilesa, Osogbo, Iwo and Ikirun, have witnessed clashes, attacks on campaign materials and disruptions of political activities.

Security agencies, including the police, Department of State Services, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps and military, have pledged to deploy personnel across the state’s 30 local government areas, 332 wards and 3,763 polling units.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission is also expected to monitor the election and tackle vote-buying.

Ede North and Ede South are regarded as key areas because of their significance to Adeleke’s political base. Ilesa East and Ilesa West are also being closely watched because of previous clashes and concerns over possible vote-buying.

In Osogbo and Olorunda, where the three leading parties have strong grassroots structures, security agencies are expected to focus on polling centres and collation locations.

Iwo and Ikirun are also considered potential flashpoints because of previous disputes involving supporters of rival parties.

INEC’s preparedness and technology

The election will also serve as a major test for INEC, particularly regarding the deployment of electoral technology.

Officials are expected to ensure the timely arrival of election materials and personnel at polling units, while maintaining neutrality throughout the voting and collation processes.

The Bimodal Voter Accreditation System and INEC Result Viewing portal will also come under scrutiny as voters and observers monitor the accreditation and transmission of results.

Any significant delays, technical problems or unexplained interruptions could fuel suspicion among political parties and voters.

Vote-buying concerns

Another major issue is vote-buying, with concerns that economic hardship could make vulnerable voters susceptible to financial inducement.

Reports of cash payments and distribution of food and household items by political agents have heightened concerns about the integrity of the process.

Authorities will therefore face the challenge of preventing vote-buying while ensuring that enforcement is impartial and does not favour any political party.

Neutrality of security agencies

The credibility of the election will depend heavily on the neutrality of security personnel and the electoral commission.

Security agencies are expected to protect voters, election officials, party agents and observers without favouring any candidate or political party. They are also expected to prevent intimidation, electoral violence and attempts to disrupt voting.

INEC, on its part, must ensure transparent procedures, efficient logistics, credible accreditation and prompt transmission of results.

Ultimately, the Osun election will test whether electoral institutions can guarantee a peaceful and credible process despite the intense political competition.

The outcome will also provide an important indication of public confidence in Nigeria’s electoral system ahead of the 2027 general elections.