The governorship election in Osun State was thrown into tension on Saturday morning after suspected hoodlums allegedly stormed a polling area in Modakeke and made away with electoral materials.
The incident reportedly occurred in Ward F, Modakeke, as voters prepared to cast their ballots in the keenly contested governorship election.
A video circulating on social media showed a chaotic scene at the location, with people seen moving around amid apparent confusion. In the footage, a female narrator speaking in Yoruba alleged that hoodlums believed to be loyal to the All Progressives Congress (APC) were responsible for carting away the election materials.
She further alleged that police officers at the scene fired teargas, claiming the action created an opportunity for the hoodlums to escape with the materials.
The allegations contained in the video could not immediately be independently verified, and it was not immediately clear what specific electoral materials were taken, how many were carted away or whether voting was subsequently disrupted at the affected location.
The development comes as Osun residents go to the polls today, August 15, to elect the governor of the state. The election pits incumbent Governor Ademola Adeleke against APC candidate Bola Oyebamiji and candidates of other political parties. The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) had officially fixed the election for August 15.
Security has been a major concern ahead of the poll. The Nigeria Police Force imposed a statewide restriction on movement from midnight on Friday until 6pm on Saturday as part of measures designed to prevent violence and protect voters, election officials and electoral materials. The police also warned non-state security groups and unauthorised bodies against participating in election security operations.
The reported incident in Modakeke is therefore likely to attract scrutiny from election authorities and security agencies, particularly if the allegation that electoral materials were taken is confirmed.
Any disruption involving election materials could have serious implications because such materials are central to the conduct of voting at polling units. Nigeria’s electoral guidelines specifically prohibit the snatching or destruction of election materials on election day.
The incident also comes against the backdrop of heightened political tension in Osun, where the contest between Adeleke and Oyebamiji has generated intense interest across the state.
As of the time of filing this report, there was no verified statement from INEC or the Osun State Police Command specifically confirming the alleged seizure of materials in Modakeke Ward F or the accusation that police officers assisted the suspected hoodlums.
The situation is expected to be closely monitored as voting continues across the state.
Watch abridged version of the incident video:
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