Osun Election: Vote-Buying Allegations, Intimidation Reported as Voting Continues
By GaskiyaCast
Voting in the 2026 Osun State governorship election has remained largely peaceful, but reports of alleged vote-buying and intimidation of journalists, polling agents and observers have emerged from some polling units across the state.
A situation report released at midday by the Centre for Journalism Innovation and Development (CJID) and Media in National Election (MiNE) highlighted growing concerns as voting progressed.
According to the report, voters in some locations alleged that political parties were offering money in exchange for votes.
In Iwo, a voter alleged that the All Progressives Congress (APC) was offering ₦20,000 to voters on the queue at Isale Oba 2. In Ilesa East, an unverified report also alleged that APC and Accord supporters were offering ₦50,000 per voter at the Correspondence School polling unit.
The report added that voters in Boluwaduro and Ola-Oluwa were openly discussing payments ahead of casting their ballots.
Meanwhile, concerns were also raised over alleged intimidation of journalists, polling agents and election observers.
In Irewole, a reporter was reportedly forced to delete photographs taken during the election, while a polling agent was allegedly assaulted and had his phone seized.
Observers were also reportedly challenged for taking photographs at polling units in Ife Central and Ilesa East.
Despite the incidents, the monitoring organisations assessed the electoral process as largely peaceful as of noon, while warning that the emerging allegations required close attention as voting continued.
The allegations have not been independently verified, and the affected parties are yet to publicly respond to the claims.
Voting is expected to continue across the state counting of votes commenced and collation processes begin.
