#OsunDecides2026: APC, Accord Party In Vote-Buying Spree, Allegedly Pay N20,000 To Voters As Thugs Harass Journalists, Polling Agents | Sahara Reporters

In Iwo, a voter alleged that APC supporters were paying N20,000 to voters on the queue at Isale Oba 2 polling unit to vote for the APC governorship candidate, Bola Oyebamiji.

The All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Accord Party have allegedly offered up to N20,000 to voters in some polling units in the ongoing Osun State governorship election.

A report by the Centre for Journalism Innovation and Development (CJID) said suspected thugs also intimidated journalists, polling agents and election observers monitoring the exercise.

In Iwo, a voter alleged that APC supporters were paying N20,000 to voters on the queue at Isale Oba 2 polling unit to vote for the APC governorship candidate, Bola Oyebamiji.

In Ilesa East, an unverified report also alleged that APC and Accord supporters were offering as much as N50,000 per voter at the Correspondence School polling unit.

Meanwhile, in Boluwaduro and Ola-Oluwa, it was observed that voters openly discussed alleged cash payments before casting their votes.

The alleged inducement has raised concerns over the credibility of the election, particularly as voters are expected to freely choose their preferred candidates without financial pressure or coercion.

There have also been cases of intimidation against journalists and election officials across some polling units.

In Irewole, it was gathered that political thugs forced a journalist to delete photographs taken during the voting process, while a polling agent was allegedly assaulted and had his mobile phone seized.

Observers were similarly intimidated while attempting to take photographs at polling units in Ife Central and Ilesa East polling units.

The incidents have heightened concerns over transparency and the ability of journalists and accredited observers to independently document the election.

OSUN 2026 | MIDDAY UPDATE — 12:00PM
As voting continues, two trends have sharpened over the past hour, with bolder allegations of vote-buying alongside rising intimidation of reporters and polling agents.
In Iwo, a voter alleged that APC was paying ₦20,000 on the voting line… pic.twitter.com/0AupsnXJAZ
— Centre for Journalism Innovation and Development (@CJIDAfrica) August 15, 2026

Despite the allegations and reported incidents, voting remained largely peaceful in the areas monitored as of midday.

However, election stakeholders are paying close attention to the affected polling units and ensuring that voters, journalists, observers and party agents are allowed to carry out their legitimate roles without intimidation or interference.

SaharaReporters had reported that a large number of voters were left stranded in a long queue at Ward 8, Polling Unit 5, in Ilesa West Local Government Area of Osun State, following delays attributed to the slow operation of the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) machine deployed to the polling unit.

SaharaReporters had captured the scene as voters struggled to remain on the queue for several hours while waiting to cast their ballots.

The voters complained that the number of people at the polling unit far exceeded the capacity of the available personnel and equipment, with only one BVAS machine reportedly deployed to process voters.

Speaking with SaharaReporters, Agunbiade Tolulope said the situation had subjected voters to prolonged waiting, stress and discomfort, particularly as the queue was barely moving.

According to Tolulope, the number of voters at the polling unit was too large compared with the available personnel and equipment.

“The election I have had over the time that I have been here is that the numbers of voters in this polling unit is too much compared to the gadgets and the resources that are available and the personnel.”

Tolulope said voters had spent between six and seven hours waiting, with little or no movement on the queue.