Adeleke Campaign Raises Alarm Over Alleged APC Role in Osun Election Materials Logistics
ISSN: 2354-4481
Grace Chidimma Ibe
OSOGBO, Osun State — The Imole Campaign Council of Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, has petitioned the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) over the alleged involvement of All Progressives Congress (APC) chieftains and supporters in the coordination and transportation of sensitive electoral materials ahead of the August 15 governorship election.
The campaign council, in a letter addressed to the Osun State Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), expressed concern that individuals it identified as APC members or supporters had allegedly been listed as coordinators and transporters responsible for the movement and distribution of election materials across parts of the state.
According to the council, the development raises concerns about the neutrality of the logistics arrangements for the election and could affect public confidence in the electoral process if not urgently addressed.
The council cited specific cases involving individuals in Iwo, Ila, Ede North, Ede South and Egbedore Local Government Areas, whom it alleged were associated with the APC but had been assigned roles connected to the transportation and distribution of electoral materials.
It further claimed that similar cases had been identified across the state's 30 local government areas.
The Imole Campaign Council urged INEC to immediately review the list of coordinators and transporters and verify the political affiliations of those assigned sensitive election logistics responsibilities.
It also called for the replacement of individuals found to have active partisan affiliations with persons considered politically neutral and capable of carrying out their duties without compromising the integrity of the election.
The council argued that election logistics constitute a critical component of the electoral process, particularly where sensitive materials are involved. It maintained that allowing individuals perceived to be partisan to participate in the movement or distribution of such materials could create unnecessary suspicion among political parties and voters.
The campaign council said INEC's prompt intervention would help prevent avoidable controversy and strengthen confidence among stakeholders ahead of the poll.
The August 15 governorship election is expected to be closely contested, with political parties intensifying their campaigns and mobilisation efforts across Osun State.
Governor Adeleke, who is seeking another term in office, is campaigning on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), while the APC is seeking to regain control of the state.
The election has attracted significant political attention, with both major parties and other participating political groups preparing their structures across the state's local government areas.
Against this backdrop, the Imole Campaign Council said electoral authorities must ensure that all arrangements for the conduct of the election comply with the principles of neutrality, transparency and fairness.
The council appealed to the Osun REC to treat its concerns as urgent and investigate the alleged partisan involvement before the commencement of the poll.
It said resolving the issue before election day would help reassure political parties, candidates and voters that the electoral process was being conducted without favour or prejudice.
The campaign council also urged INEC to communicate the outcome of its review to relevant stakeholders to eliminate doubts over the credibility of the logistics arrangements.
As preparations intensify for the August 15 election, the council said INEC's handling of the allegation would be closely watched by political actors and the electorate.
It stressed that the credibility of the election would depend not only on the voting and collation processes but also on the neutrality and transparency of arrangements for the deployment and handling of electoral materials.
The campaign council therefore called on INEC to act swiftly on its petition and ensure that only credible and politically neutral personnel are entrusted with sensitive election logistics responsibilities.
By Grace Chidimma Ibe
