By Our Correspondent

Barely few hours after the commencement of voting in in most polling units in osogbo metropolitan city violence erupted at the poling unit of the governorship candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Najeem Salaam, as all Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), materials were destroyed by electorates.

The violence which occurred shortly after Salam casted his vote at unit 13 ward 4 in Ejigbo local government area, electorate running for safety.

Earlier before the violence, Salaam while addressing journalists raised concerns over the alleged non-recognition of his party’s agents at several polling units across Osun State during Saturday’s governorship election.

He described the incident as “worrisome and disturbing,” saying the names of the party’s agents had been uploaded onto the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) platform.

He alleged that ADC agents in Ward 5, Ejigbo, were not issued tags despite the party having submitted their names, adding that a similar situation was reported in about 10 local government areas across the state.

Salaam said he might address the press again at the end of the election to give an update on the matter.

According to him, the matter had been reported to the relevant authorities, who he said were looking into it.

“The report that my agents are not being recognised at most of the wards across the state is worrisome and disturbing.

Despite the fact that we uploaded all the names of our party agents, especially here in Ejigbo, the agents in Ward 5 for the ADC were not given tags. The same thing happened in about 10 local governments across the state.

“I reported the matter to the relevant authorities, and they are looking into it. When the votes are being counted, it is necessary for my agents to be recognised at the polling units.

“Apart from that, in Ejigbo Local Government, the process has been going on without any crisis for now. I want to believe it will remain peaceful until the end of the exercise.

“As it stands, we cannot accept a situation where our party agents are not recognised. The importance of having party agents at the polling units cannot be oversee.

“All the names were uploaded onto the INEC platform, so I don’t understand why we are now being denied the opportunity to have our party agents present.

“Maybe towards the end of the election process, I will still address the press and let the people know how far we have gone with the matter.

“What I’m saying is part of the preparation on the side of INEC. When you requested that the parties upload the names of their agents, we did so. I don’t understand how or why the party agents would not be given tags.

“If there is a fair election, with no rigging or manipulation, and there is a level playing field, I trust my God that I’m going to win the election.

“We engage with the people and let them know about our programmes. That is exactly what we do. Vote-buying is out of it. I have never in my life bought votes.

“People should decide whom they want, and I think it should be fair enough for them to have the right to choose whom they prefer as a candidate or as the governor of the state.

By Our Correspondent
The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, has restored four previously suppressed State House of Assembly constituencies in Delta and Kogi States, in compliance with court judgments directing their reinstatement.

Announcing the development yesterday , the commission said the restoration affects three constituencies in Delta State and one in Kogi State.

The restored constituencies are: Abraka State Constituency, Isoko North II State Constituency, and Ughelli South II State Constituency in Delta State, and Yagba West II State Constituency in Kogi State.

The commission said the decision follows judgments of the courts which directed the restoration of the additional constituencies in the two states.

INEC has fixed August 21 to August 25, 2026, for the conduct of party primaries in the restored constituencies.

The same period will also cover primaries for bye-elections to fill recent vacancies in other constituencies. These include Gombe/Kwami/Funakaye Federal Constituency of Gombe State, Disina and Sakawa State Constituencies of Bauchi State, Udu State Constituency of Delta State, and Dawakin Kudu State Constituency of Kano State.

Elections into all the affected constituencies have been scheduled for September 19, 2026.

The commission clarified that for the avoidance of doubt, all other timelines and activities contained in the already published revised Timetable and Schedule of Activities for the 2027 General Election shall apply to the restored constituencies.

Political parties have been requested to submit notices of their various primaries to the commission ahead of the scheduled dates.

National Commissioner and Chairman of the Information and Voter Education Committee, Mohammed Kudu Haruna, who signed the statement, said the restoration was necessary to give full effect to the judgments of the courts and to ensure representation for the affected communities.

He reiterated that the commission remains committed to ensuring credible, inclusive, and transparent electoral processes.

With the restoration, the number of State House of Assembly seats to be contested in the affected states will increase, while voters in Abraka, Isoko North II, Ughelli South II, and Yagba West II will now participate in electing representatives into their respective state legislatures.

The development brings to an end years of legal battles by stakeholders in the affected areas who had challenged their previous exclusion from having separate constituencies.

By David Owei

Governor Ademola Adeleke has charged Osun peole to vote wisely and defend their votes just as he had declared Friday 14th of August as work free day to allow public service workers to participate at today’s governorship election.

In a circular issued by the Head of Service, Elder Ayanleye Aina, the decision is 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.

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

In a pre-election message to the workers, the governor commended the steadfastness of the labour leadership and workers in support of his administration, lauding the mutually beneficial relationship between his administration and Osun workers.

“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”, the governor noted in his message.