Over 40,000 Security Personnel Deployed As Osun Votes Today

Osun State goes to the polls today to choose its governor for the next four years, with the election taking place under an extensive security arrangement and against the backdrop of heightened political tension.

More than 15,000 police personnel and 10,000 officers of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) have been deployed across the state, alongside personnel from the military, Department of State Services (DSS) and other security agencies.

While authorities have not disclosed the combined strength of the military and other operatives, sources said the total number of security personnel deployed for the election had risen above 40,000.

ShortnSharp observed a strong security presence in Osogbo, the state capital, where soldiers and other security personnel have been stationed at strategic locations since the beginning of the week.

The large-scale deployment comes amid concerns over election-related violence, following reports of threats, attacks and killings in different parts of the state in the days leading to the poll.

15 parties contest election

Fifteen political parties are participating in today’s election, although the battle has largely attracted attention around the Accord Party and the All Progressives Congress (APC).

Governor Ademola Adeleke, who won the 2022 election on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), is seeking a second term after moving to the Accord Party.

The APC candidate, Bola Munirudeen Oyebamiji, a former commissioner for finance, is also seeking to return the party to power after Adeleke defeated its candidate in the 2022 election.

Another major contender is Najeem Salam of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), a former Speaker of the Osun State House of Assembly.

The other candidates are Olanrewaju Farinloye of the Action Alliance (AA); Esan Olajide of the African Action Congress (AAC); Adeagbo Opawoye of the Action Democratic Party (ADP); Adeyemi-Doro Adesina of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA); Adewale Adebayo of the Allied Peoples Movement (APM); Clement Adesuyi of the Action Peoples Party (APP); Adeleke Masilo of the Boot Party; Taofeek Adeleke of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP); Saliu Oyelami of the Peoples Redemption Party (PRP); Francis Olugbenga Ajala of the Social Democratic Party (SDP); Ogunsakin Olalekan of the Young Progressive Party (YPP); and Adefemi Adesuyi of the Zenith Labour Party (ZLP).

Ajala’s appearance on the ballot followed a Federal High Court judgment delivered on July 22, 2026. Following the ruling, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) reprinted the ballot papers and result sheets to include the SDP candidate and his running mate, Faseke Babajimi Oladipo.

2.3m voters registered

INEC said 2,339,233 people are registered to vote in today’s election.

The commission disclosed that 1,906,390 voters, representing 81.50 per cent of the registered electorate, had collected their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs).

It said the remaining 432,843 PVCs, representing 18.50 per cent, were deposited with the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).

According to INEC, 6,101 people who applied for replacement of damaged, defaced or lost PVCs had also printed downloadable copies of their cards.

The electoral body said sensitive and non-sensitive materials had been distributed to all 30 local government areas for onward delivery to polling units.

It has also made available 5,130 Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) machines for the state’s 3,763 polling units, with 1,328 additional machines held in reserve.

The number of BVAS machines deployed has drawn attention because INEC reportedly used 5,305 devices during the 2022 governorship election, when the state had 3,753 polling units.

INEC has maintained that it is prepared to deliver a credible, transparent, free and fair election.

Observers arrive, security agencies mobilise

Beyond the security agencies, a number of local and international organisations are in Osun to monitor the exercise.

They include The Kukah Centre, Yiaga Africa, Kimpact Development Initiative (KDI) and the National Democratic Institute (NDI).

The European Union Election Observation Mission, the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) and other reputable organisations have also deployed observers.

The police said more than 15,000 personnel and 30 commissioners of police had been assigned to the election, with a Deputy Inspector-General of Police overseeing the operation.

The DSS, military, NSCDC and other security agencies have similarly deployed personnel across the state.

The extensive security arrangement is coming at a time when the APC and the Accord Party have continued to trade allegations over political violence, firearms and the alleged movement of thugs ahead of the poll.

APC, government exchange allegations

Kehinde Ayantunji, a member of the media committee of the APC Governorship Election Campaign Council, alleged that political thugs had been moved into the Government House in Osogbo by leaders of the Accord Party-led administration.

He called on the Inspector-General of Police, the DSS and other security agencies to investigate the allegation, claiming that his party had intelligence suggesting that some of those allegedly mobilised were not indigenes of Osun.

The state Commissioner for Information, Oluomo Kolapo Alimi, countered the allegation by accusing APC members of possessing firearms.

Alimi also alleged that some APC members arrested by the police over the alleged possession of weapons were released shortly after their arrest.

The Speaker of the Osun State House of Assembly, Adewale Egbedun, separately raised an alarm over an alleged plot to attack him.

Egbedun said some individuals allegedly carrying guns were arrested and handed over to the DSS, but claimed that they were later released and returned to his constituency.

He urged the Federal Government, security agencies and other relevant institutions to investigate the allegations and make their findings public.

The Speaker also appealed to the National Human Rights Commission, civil society groups, election observers and diplomatic missions to monitor the situation closely and document any violations.

Adeleke promises post-election inquiry

Amid the concerns over violence, Governor Adeleke has announced plans to establish an independent commission of inquiry after the election to examine political killings and other violent incidents recorded during the election period.

According to the governor, the proposed panel will investigate the circumstances surrounding the incidents and recommend appropriate action against anyone found culpable, irrespective of political affiliation.

He also promised that the state government would establish a mechanism to support and compensate families who lost relatives in election-related violence.

“The commission will establish the circumstances surrounding these incidents and recommend appropriate actions to ensure that everyone responsible is brought to justice, regardless of political affiliation, position or influence.

“The government will also put in place a framework to support and compensate the families of those who lost their lives. The memories of all the victims will be appropriately honoured. The election will come and go, but we will remain one people. We owe the dead justice, their families compassion and the people of Osun a peaceful future,” Adeleke said.

Tinubu tasks INEC on 2027 readiness

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has urged INEC to treat the Osun election as an opportunity to demonstrate its preparedness for the 2027 general elections.

In a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, the President called for an electoral process that is transparent, free and fair.

“INEC must use this last off-cycle election as a test case to demonstrate to Nigerians their full preparedness for the 2027 polls,” Tinubu said.

He also charged the Inspector-General of Police and other security chiefs deployed for the election to provide adequate protection for voters and electoral personnel.

Tinubu urged residents to participate in the election peacefully and warned against any attempt to disrupt the exercise.

“The outcome of the Osun governorship election must reflect the will of the people,” he said.

As the final off-cycle governorship election before the 2027 general elections, today’s Osun poll is expected to attract close scrutiny from political parties, observers and Nigerians across the country.

The key test, however, will be whether the extensive security deployment and electoral preparations can guarantee voters a peaceful environment to cast their ballots freely and ensure that their votes are accurately counted.

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