News Update

THE All Progressives Congress, APC, and the Accord in Osun State have exchanged allegations of vote-buying and electoral malpractice ahead of the August 15, 2026 Osun State governorship election, with both parties calling for investigations by relevant authorities.

The Osun State chapter of the APC alleged that Governor Ademola Adeleke had concluded plans to induce civil servants, teachers, local government workers and other public servants with a payment of N20,000 each to influence their votes in the forthcoming election.

In a statement signed by the party’s Director of Media and Information, Kola Olabisi on Sunday, the APC claimed the payments would begin reaching workers’ bank accounts from Monday, describing the alleged move as an attempt to secure electoral support.

The opposition party urged workers to reject the “Greek gift”, arguing that the governor had outstanding obligations, including leave bonuses, pension deductions, cooperative deductions, health insurance remittances and trade union check-off dues.

According to the APC, “It is absurd and criminal for the governor to engage in vote buying from all the active government workers in the state which has been outlawed by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).”

The party alleged that some Accord agents were seen in Osogbo distributing N10,000 to prospective voters after allegedly compelling them to swear an oath to support Governor Adeleke in the election.

The APC called on the Independent National Electoral Commission, the Nigeria Police Force, the Department of State Services, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission to investigate the allegations, citing provisions of the Electoral Act relating to vote-buying.

Responding, the Osun State chapter of the Accord dismissed the APC’s claims as false and hypocritical, alleging instead that APC operatives had been buying Permanent Voter Cards, PVCs, and collecting voters’ Personal Identification Numbers, PIN, across the state over the past two months.

In a statement signed by the Osun Accord Chairman, Pastor Victor Babalola Akande, the party maintained that Governor Adeleke had no reason to induce workers because of his administration’s record on salary payments, pensions, promotions and workers’ welfare.

The Accord stated, “Governor Adeleke does not need to buy the votes of Osun workers. He has earned their confidence through prompt payment of salaries, regular pension payments, payment of accumulated promotion benefits owed by the APC as well as half salaries, improved workers’ welfare, promotions, settlement of long neglected entitlements and a consistent commitment to rebuilding the public service.”

The party also alleged that APC-backed operatives had been inducing vulnerable voters with cash and food items while collecting PVC details and voters’ PINs, adding that the alleged incidents had already been reported to INEC and security agencies for investigation.

Both parties however urged the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, and security agencies to investigate their respective allegations.