Adeleke warns against alleged plot to interfere in Osun results collation

OSUN State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, has called on President Bola Tinubu to take urgent steps to prevent alleged attempts to interfere with the collation of results from the state governorship election.

Adeleke raised the concern on Saturday as officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) began the process of collating results from polling units across the state.

The governor alleged that some politicians were seeking to disrupt the exercise or take control of collation centres in an attempt to influence the final outcome of the election.

He described those allegedly behind the move as ‘desperate and rejected politicians’ and urged the president to ensure that security agencies deployed to Osun prevent any action capable of undermining the credibility of the electoral process.

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Adeleke said the reported attempts were particularly worrying because the government had deployed a large number of security personnel to the state to maintain peace and protect voters, electoral officials and election materials.

He therefore appealed directly to Tinubu to issue a firm warning to the heads of the various security agencies involved in the election and make it clear that the protection of the electoral process must remain their priority.

“It is imperative that you use your good office to issue a clear warning to the heads of security agencies deployed to protect the good people of Osun State and safeguard the integrity of the electoral process,” Adeleke said.

The governor’s intervention came at a sensitive stage of the election, with attention shifting from voting to the collation and declaration of results.

Collation centres are critical to the electoral process because results from individual polling units are aggregated at different levels before the final result is declared. Any disruption at this stage could therefore generate tension and raise questions about the credibility of the eventual outcome.

Adeleke said reports of attempts to interfere with collation centres should not be ignored, especially given the security presence across the state.

“Reports of attempts to hijack or disrupt collation centres by desperate and rejected politicians across the state are deeply concerning and unacceptable, particularly given the large number of security personnel deployed to ensure a peaceful and credible election,” he said.

He urged the president to reaffirm the Federal Government’s commitment to ensuring that the votes of Osun residents determine the outcome of the election.

According to him, the electorate should be allowed to choose their leaders without intimidation, manipulation or interference during the final stages of the electoral process.

“I therefore implore you to reiterate the commitment made to the people of Osun State that their votes will count and that the outcome of this election will reflect their genuine choice,” Adeleke said.

The governor also called on all security agencies deployed for the election to maintain professionalism and neutrality throughout the collation exercise.

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He specifically mentioned the Nigeria Police Force, Department of State Services (DSS), Nigerian Army and Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), alongside other agencies involved in securing the election.

Adeleke urged the security agencies to ensure that no individual or political group was allowed to gain unlawful access to collation centres or interfere with electoral officials carrying out their duties.

He further appealed to the security agencies to provide the necessary protection for INEC officials as the commission works to complete the collation and declaration of results.

The governor said the electoral body should be allowed to perform its statutory responsibilities without pressure or intimidation from political actors.

He also stressed the importance of ensuring that the final outcome reflects the actual votes cast by residents across the state.

For Adeleke, protecting the integrity of the collation process is as important as ensuring a peaceful voting exercise as the credibility of the election depends on every stage being conducted transparently.

He said the people of Osun had exercised their democratic rights and that their decision must be respected once the electoral process is concluded.

“The people of Osun State have spoken with one voice, and their voices must be heard. Their votes must be protected, and their mandate must be respected,” he said.

The governor’s statement comes against the backdrop of heightened political attention surrounding the Osun governorship election, with political parties and their supporters closely monitoring the collation of results.

The development also underscores the importance of security at collation centres, where tensions can rise as parties await the official figures that will determine the winner of the election.

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The governor maintained that the final mandate should come from the voters and not from any attempt to manipulate the collation or declaration stage.

He said ensuring that the votes are protected through the final stage would strengthen confidence in the electoral process and demonstrate respect for the democratic choice of Osun residents.