Osun Election: New ballot papers delivered today; Adeleke declares Friday work free

By Kingsley Omonobi, Dapo Akinrefon, Omeiza Ajayi & Shina Abubakar

TO ensure that no party or candidate is excluded, the Independent National Electoral Commission INEC said it has commenced the reproduction of ballot papers for the August 15 Osun State governorship election to accommodate the candidate of the Social Democratic Party SDP, Dr Francis Olugbenga Ajala, and his running mate, Faseke Babajimi Oladipo.

This was as Governor Ademola Adeleke declared Friday, August 14 as work free, to allow public service workers participate in the poll; and Inspector-General of Police, IGP Olatunji Disu, deployed Deputy Inspector-General of Police, DIG Ishyaku Mohammed, to the state to coordinate security operations and ensure violence free balloting.

Why we are reprinting ballot papers, sheets – INEC

In a statement by the National Commissioner and Chairman, Information and Voter Education Committee at INEC, Mohammed Kudu Haruna, the Commission said the action was taken in compliance with the judgment of the Federal High Court, Abuja, delivered on July 22, 2026 in Suit No. FHC/ABJ/CS/344/2026, in a matter between the SDP and Dr Francis Olugbenga Ajala on one hand, and INEC on the other.

According to the statement, the court had ordered the Commission to forthwith recognise, accept, upload, process and publish the name and particulars of Dr Ajala as the candidate of the SDP for the election.

Reproduced ballot papers to be delivered today

“The Commission wishes to inform the public that the reproduced ballot papers will arrive in Osun State on Thursday, 13th August 2026, and will, the same day, be moved to Local Government Area offices across the State, in line with its standard distribution procedure ahead of the election,” the statement read.

With the addition of the SDP candidate, the total number of political parties contesting the governorship election now stands at 15.

INEC noted that the result sheets for the election are also being reproduced alongside the ballot papers to reflect the inclusion of the SDP candidate.

The Commission assured political parties, candidates and the general public of its commitment to conducting a free, fair and credible election in Osun State.

Adeleke declares Friday work-free

According to a circular by the Head of Service, Elder Ayanleye Aina, the Adeleke made Friday work-free to enable workers to embark on travelling where required and to prepare to exercise their voting rights on Saturday.

The circular noted that all categories of workers are covered in work-free day declaration except those on emergency and essential duties.

Also, Governor Adeleke urged Osun workers, their relatives and friends to vote massively on Saturday and defend their votes to ensure continuity of good governance across the state.

The governor, in a statement by his Spokesperson, Mallam Olawale Rasheed, said: “The time for action has come. As formal workers at state establishments, I task you to mobilise informal workers, artisans and professional bodies. We must remain strong in defence of our constitutional rights to vote and be voted for.

“We must defend the gains of the last three and half years plus. Ours is a workers friendly government which has delivered across board to labour and Osun people. We cannot and must not allow a return to dark days.”

IGP deploys DIG Mohammed to supervise security operations

The Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Aniete Iniedu disclosed that DIG Ishyaku Mohammed’s deployment is part of the Nigeria Police Force’s operational strategy to ensure a peaceful, secure and credible electoral process across the state.

DIG Mohammed will coordinate the police component of the election security arrangement and work closely with other security agencies under the Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security, ICCES.

He will be supported by Assistant Inspectors-General of Police and Commissioners of Police strategically deployed across the three senatorial districts to supervise operations, strengthen intelligence-led policing and ensure prompt responses to emerging security threats.

The Force said adequate security arrangements had been put in place to protect voters, INEC personnel, election materials, polling units, collation centres, accredited observers and media practitioners before, during and after the election.

The IGP warned political actors, their supporters and other intending troublemakers that ballot snatching, voter intimidation, political thuggery and other electoral offences would attract immediate arrest and prosecution.

Disu also reiterated the ban on armed escorts, security aides and other unauthorised persons accompanying political figures or VIPs to polling units and collation centres on election day.

He further warned that state-established security outfits, quasi-security groups and private security organisations were prohibited from participating in election security duties, in line with established Nigeria Police Force election-security directives.

Oyintiloye urges political actors to shun violence

Meanwhile, a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Mr Olatunbosun Oyintiloye, has urged political actors and stakeholders in Osun State to shun violence and promote peaceful and responsible engagement ahead of Saturday’s governorship election.

Oyintiloye made the call in Ibokun, Obokun Local Government Area, while speaking during an empowerment programme for informal workers, including artisans, traders, commercial motorcyclists and technicians.

He described the APC as a peaceful party and appealed to its members and other stakeholders to promote tolerance and peace before, during and after the election.

Oyintiloye urged beneficiaries to support the APC governorship candidate, Asiwaju Munirudeen Bola Oyebamiji, assuring them that an AMBO-led administration would prioritise inclusive governance, economic empowerment and skills development.

Ex-PDP guber aspirant endorses Adeleke

A former governorship aspirant of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in Osun State, Adebayo Adedamola, popularly known as Fryo, has endorsed Governor Adeleke for Saturday’s governorship election.

Adedamola, who was nominated by a faction of the PDP for the poll, polled 919 of 957 votes at the party’s primary in Osogbo. However, his name was not included in the final list of candidates released by the INEC.

Announcing his endorsement yesterday in Osogbo, Adedamola said the decision followed extensive consultations and a sober assessment of the political situation in the state.

“I encourage all PDP members, supporters and party structures across the state who believe in my leadership and judgment to support the emergence of His Excellency, Senator Ademola Adeleke, at the August 15 gubernatorial election,” he said.

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