#OsunDecides2026: Accord Party Supporters Prevented From Voting In Ikire Polling Unit Of APC Candidate Oyebamiji’s Wife | Sahara Reporters

According to her, those at the polling unit allegedly insisted that voters should support only the APC candidate.

Voters at Ward 9, Unit 3, in Ikire, Irewole Local Government Area of Osun State, have alleged that they were prevented from exercising their franchise because they were not willing to vote for the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate, Bola Oyebamiji.

The allegation emerged on Saturday as voters across the state participated in the Osun State governorship election, amid reports of intimidation, disruptions and other irregularities at some polling units.

A voter, Adeosun Folashade, who spoke about the situation at the polling unit, alleged that supporters of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) and members of other political parties were prevented from voting.

According to her, those at the polling unit allegedly insisted that voters should support only the APC candidate.

She said, “At ward nine unit 3, in Ikire they didn’t allow Accord Party members to vote, they said it’s only one party people are allowed to vote for. They said it’s only All Progressives Congress party candidate Bola Oyebamiji we should vote for, we do not want it like that.”

The ward in dispute is said to be that of the APC Governorship candidate wife, Bola Oyebamiji.

The allegation raises concerns about the conduct of the election in Ikire, particularly over claims that voters were allegedly being pressured to support a particular candidate instead of being allowed to freely choose among the candidates on the ballot.

The Osun governorship election has attracted heightened political tension, with the contest involving the incumbent Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), the APC and other opposition parties, including the Accord Party and the African Democratic Congress (ADC).

The reported incident in Ikire comes amid separate allegations of disruption and intimidation at other polling units across the state.

Previously, SaharaReporters reported that a notorious thug allegedly loyal to the APC, identified as “Big Hammer,” reportedly disrupted the voting process at the polling unit of ADC governorship candidate, Najeem Salam, in Ejigbo Local Government Area.

The incident reportedly created panic among voters, election agents and residents, with some fleeing the area to escape the attack.

A video seen by SaharaReporters showed voters and election agents running in different directions amid the reported incident.

One of the persons captured in the video narrated how they were forced to jump over a fence to escape.

“We had to jump the fence to escape, this is very uncalled for,” the victim said.

In another video obtained by SaharaReporters, a vehicle was seen damaged while residents expressed concern over violence and destruction associated with the election.

The latest allegation from Ikire adds to concerns over whether voters are being allowed to freely participate in the electoral process without intimidation or political pressure.

The development also comes amid allegations by Governor Ademola Adeleke of an alleged plot to disrupt the election.

Adeleke, who spoke shortly after casting his ballot at Unit 009, Ward 2, Ede North Local Government Area, accused the APC of bringing a police officer from Port Harcourt to “disorganise the vote.”

He called on the Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Disu, and other security agencies to monitor the alleged officer and ensure that the election was not disrupted.

Adeleke said, “It’s going well and I hope it continues like that but I got some information for my people in Osun State. There is one Police officer called London from Port Harcourt, they brought him to come and disorganise the vote, so I am calling on the Inspector General of Police and all the security agents to watch out and be on the lookout.”

The governor further alleged that the officer was brought into Osun by the APC as part of an alleged plan to interfere with the electoral process, particularly in Ede, his hometown.

The allegations from Ikire and other parts of Osun are likely to intensify scrutiny of the election, particularly regarding voter access, intimidation and the ability of citizens to cast ballots for candidates of their choice. However, the claims remain allegations and would require verification from electoral authorities and other relevant stakeholders.