The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has begun publishing official results from local government areas (LGAs) in the Osun State governorship election held on Saturday. The results are being uploaded to the INEC Result Viewing (IReV) portal and announced at the state collation centre in Osogbo, the state capital.
Collation Process Underway
According to INEC officials, the collation of results from all 30 LGAs in the state is ongoing. As of the latest update, results from several LGAs have been received and verified, with the commission assuring that all results will be transmitted electronically to ensure transparency.
The election, which saw a high voter turnout in many areas, is being closely watched as the incumbent party and the main opposition parties battle for control of the southwest state. INEC has deployed national commissioners and resident electoral commissioners to supervise the process.
Key Figures from Early Results
While the full breakdown is yet to be released, early figures from some LGAs indicate a tight race between the two leading candidates. For instance, in Osogbo LGA, the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate polled 25,430 votes, while the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate got 23,210 votes, according to the returning officer.
In Ife Central LGA, the PDP candidate took the lead with 18,765 votes against the APC's 15,432 votes. The Labour Party (LP) candidate trailed with 4,321 votes. These figures are provisional and subject to confirmation by the collation officer.
Impact and Next Steps
As the collation continues, observers note that the final outcome will depend on the remaining LGAs, particularly the rural areas where voter apathy has been a concern. INEC has promised to announce the final result within 48 hours, as stipulated by the Electoral Act.
The winner will be declared after all results are collated and verified. Political analysts say the election's credibility will hinge on the transparency of the collation process and the acceptance of results by all parties.
