Imole Campaign Council Raises Alarm Over Alleged Plot to End Osun Voting by 12pm

 

By Abdulahi Musa 

Calls on INEC to Resist Political Pressure and Prevent Voter Disenfranchisement

 The Imole Campaign Council has raised the alarm over an alleged plot by the All Progressives Congress (APC) to pressure the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) into abruptly ending voting by 12:00 noon in selected local government areas during the August 15, 2026, Osun State governorship election.

In a statement signed by its spokesman, Pelumi Olajengbesi, Esq., the campaign council alleged that the purported plan was targeted at areas considered political strongholds of Governor Ademola Adeleke, with the aim of suppressing votes and disenfranchising eligible voters.

The council described the alleged move as a threat to the credibility of the election and called on INEC to ensure that all eligible voters who present themselves within the stipulated voting period are given the opportunity to exercise their franchise.

“We unequivocally condemn this despicable plot and alert all Nigerians and lovers of democracy to the danger it poses to the credibility of the election,” the council said.

The campaign council further alleged that the APC had previously attempted to weaken Adeleke and his political structure through legal challenges, arrests and intimidation of Accord Party members, claiming that the alleged pressure on INEC represented another attempt to influence the electoral process.

However, these allegations were presented by the campaign council and were not independently established in the statement.

The council urged INEC to remain neutral and adhere strictly to its established electoral guidelines, insisting that voting procedures and timelines must be applied uniformly across all parts of the state.

It also appealed to civil society organisations, election observers, international bodies and the media to closely monitor the election and raise concerns over any action capable of undermining voters’ rights or the integrity of the process.

Describing the Osun governorship election as an important test ahead of the 2027 general elections, the council stressed that the poll must be free, fair, transparent and credible.

“The people of Osun State are ready to vote. They must be allowed to vote, and every lawful vote must count,” the council stated.

The August 15 governorship election is expected to attract heightened political and security attention as the major parties intensify their campaigns ahead of the poll.