The Imole Campaign Council, the campaign team of Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke, has raised concerns over an alleged plan to declare the ongoing governorship election inconclusive.
In a statement issued by the Chairman of its Media and Publicity Committee, Rep. Bamidele Salam, the campaign alleged that certain political actors were working to prevent what it described as Adeleke’s expected victory.
According to the campaign council, the alleged move was part of a last-minute attempt to undermine the choice of Osun voters and frustrate the outcome of the election. It called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to uphold its commitment to conducting a free, fair and credible election.
The campaign also urged local and international observers to remain vigilant throughout the collation process and closely monitor developments at all collation centres.
It further appealed to the Inspector-General of Police, the Department of State Services (DSS), the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps and other security agencies to strengthen security around collation centres and prevent any attempt to disrupt the electoral process.
The council also alleged that ballot boxes had been seized in some polling units by suspected thugs. It called for the immediate investigation and arrest of anyone found responsible for disrupting the election.
The Adeleke campaign urged INEC, political parties, security agencies and observers to ensure that the will of the Osun electorate is respected and that the final outcome reflects the votes cast by the people.
The allegations, however, remain claims by the Adeleke campaign and have not, in themselves, established that INEC has decided to declare the election inconclusive.