#OsunDecides2026: Early turnout of voters, heavy security presence in Osogbo, Ede, Ilesa

The Osun governorship election commenced peacefully on Saturday, with a heavy security presence observed around polling units in some parts of the state.

The correspondents of the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), who monitored the election in Ilesa East, Ilesa West, Ede North, Boripe and Osogbo local government areas, report that voters were seen as early as 6:45 a.m. at some of the polling units visited.

At Ward D1, Unit 8 in Ilesa West council area, INEC officials were on the ground, while voters were seen checking their names on the pasted voters’ list.

The presiding officer at the unit, Segun Adegbaju, said he and other officials arrived at 6:59 a.m.

Similarly, at Ward 8, Unit 3 within the council area, a large number of voters were seen checking their names on the pasted list, while INEC ad hoc staff were also on the ground.

The assistant presiding officer, Cestus Akilolu, while addressing the voters, said accreditation and voting would commence at 8:30 a.m. and end at 2:30 p.m.

Mr Akilolu urged the voters to remain orderly, assuring them that the process would be peaceful.

At Ward 4, Unit 6, Ede North Local Government Area, INEC ad hoc staff arrived early, while voters also turned out early for the exercise.

Also at Ward 4, Unit 6, Abere, Ede North, voters were seen as early as 7 a.m. checking their names on the pasted list, with INEC ad hoc staff on the ground.

At Ward 4, Unit 13, Osogbo Local Government Area, voters arrived as early as 6:50 a.m., awaiting electoral officials and voting materials.

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At Ward 3, Unit 16, Iragbiji, Boripe Local Government Area, voters were also seen waiting for the arrival of electoral officials.

Some of the voters expressed satisfaction with the early arrival of INEC ad hoc staff at the polling units.

As of the time of filing this report, voting had yet to commence at some of the polling units visited, as the exercise was scheduled to begin at 8:30 a.m.

A heavy presence of security agents was also observed in all the places visited and around the polling units.