A coalition of opposition parties in Osun State has raised concerns over the integrity of the August 15, 2026 governorship election, citing alleged political interference and the need for neutrality in the deployment of election logistics.

Addressing journalists on behalf of the Concerned Leadership of Political Parties, CLPP, Spokesperson Oluseye Titus Odesola said the coalition is worried about the impartial conduct of the Resident Electoral Commissioner, REC, in Osun State.

The CLPP comprises the APP: Action Peoples Party, YP: Youth Party, YPP: Young Progressive Party, PRP: Peoples Redemption Party, LPP: Liberation People Party, and other parties.

Key Areas of Concern:

Speaking at the press conference, Odesola said the credibility of the election will depend on 3 critical areas:

1. Election monitoring: Oversight must be impartial, transparent, and free from political interference.

2. Use of technology: Electronic voting machines and other systems must be deployed with integrity to prevent manipulation or technical failures.

3. Public transport neutrality:

Vehicles used for election logistics must remain apolitical to ensure secure and unbiased delivery of materials.

Allegation of Motor Park Takeover

The coalition expressed alarm over what it described as a “forceful and politically motivated takeover of motor parks across the state.”

“This action signals a deliberate attempt to compromise the electoral process by diverting election materials. Such interference undermines transparency and threatens the democratic foundation of Osun State,” Odesola stated.

The group specifically warned against trusting the National Union of Road Transport Workers, NURTW, with election materials, alleging possible refusal to deploy to certain areas, theft of ballots and result sheets, and other abuses that could “hugely distort the will of the electorates.”

Demands and Call to Action

To safeguard the process, CLPP called on the REC to urgently provide “a transparent and tamper-free means of transporting election materials.”

The coalition also urged democracy advocates, civil society organizations, labour unions, and international observers to place Osun State on their watchlist.

“An injury to democracy in Osun is an injury to democracy in Nigeria,” Odesola said.

The group insisted that the August 15 governorship election must proceed as scheduled and that “every vote must count.”