Peaceful Voting in Osun 2026, But Vote-Buying and BVAS Issues Reported

The Centre for Democracy and Development (CDD-West Africa) says the 2026 Osun governorship election was mostly peaceful. This was despite reports of vote-buying, technical problems, and some incidents of violence.

CDD-West Africa shared this information through its Election Analysis Centre (CDD-EAC). The initial statement came out on Saturday in Abuja, signed by Director Dauda Garuba and EAC Chair Victor Adetula.

The centre monitored elections in Osun's 30 Local Government Areas, 332 registration areas, and 3,763 polling units.

Its findings came from reports by field observers and reliable media coverage across the state.

According to CDD-EAC, INEC did well in deploying staff, with 89.1 percent of polling units having officials arrive before 8:30 a.m. The rest, 10.9 percent, had officials arriving between 8:30 a.m. and 9:30 a.m.

The centre noted that INEC reported that 3,556 polling units, or 94.5 percent, opened by 8:30 a.m. But there were some delays in places like Ife Central and Aiyedire LGAs.

CDD-EAC also said a party agent held the voters’ register before INEC officials arrived at a polling station in Ife Central, which needed clarification.

BVAS Issues

The centre pointed out problems with the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS), particularly slow processing and issues with biometric verification.

BVAS problems happened in Irepodun, Ejigbo, Obokun, Osogbo, Olorunda, Ola Oluwa, Ede North, and Ede South LGAs.

It called on INEC to provide working backup equipment and quick technical support when BVAS fails.

The centre also raised alarms about vote-buying. Observers saw people soliciting votes around polling stations in Ilesa East and Ola Oluwa.

Media reports claimed that APC and Accord agents were involved in vote-buying at a polling station in Irewole LGA. CDD-EAC reported that ICPC officials detained someone in Irepodun for allegedly having signed paper tallies.

It urged agencies like ICPC, EFCC, and the police to look into these claims and punish any proven violations.

Security Concerns

On security, the centre noted that voting was peaceful in many areas. But it raised concern over violent incidents in Ejigbo and Modakeke.

Suspected thugs disrupted voting at Ejigbo Ward 4, Polling Unit 13, where ADC governorship candidate Najeem Salaam voted.

There were also claims of voters being tear-gassed in Modakeke and Obokun, which should be investigated independently.

CDD-EAC called on security agencies to stay neutral, show restraint, and protect voters, no matter their political choice.

It praised Osun voters, INEC officials, and security personnel. But it stressed that incidents of violence, vote-buying, and technical issues should not be ignored.

The centre plans to keep monitoring the situation and will release a detailed post-election report.