With just days to the Osun State governorship election, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has confirmed that sensitive election materials are already warehoused at the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) in Osogbo. In a related development, over 25,310 security personnel have been deployed across the state to ensure a peaceful and credible poll on Saturday, August 15, 2026.
INEC Confirms Arrival of Sensitive Materials
INEC's Chief Press Secretary, Adedayo Oketola, disclosed this to journalists on Monday, August 10, noting that the commission would also draw ad-hoc staff from a pool of more than 30,000 National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members for the exercise. According to Punch reports, Oketola could not give the exact number of ad-hoc staff to be deployed but confirmed that 2,339,233 voters are registered in the state.
The sensitive materials, which include ballot papers and Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) devices, are currently secured at the CBN facility. Oketola declined to reveal the exact arrival time, citing security concerns about potential ambush. "Right now, sensitive materials are already in Osun. Nobody will tell you when materials arrived Osun. What is most important is that they have arrived," he said.
Logistics Timeline for the Election
Oketola outlined the logistics timeline, stating that non-sensitive materials will begin moving to local government areas on Thursday, August 13. Ballot papers and BVAS devices will be transferred from the CBN to local government offices on Friday, August 14. Registration Area Centres will also receive materials on Friday, alongside ad-hoc staff and security agents. Polling is scheduled to open at 8:30 a.m. on Saturday.
In addition to election materials, generators, water tanks, and other equipment are being transported to the state as part of the logistics build-up.
Massive Security Deployment
The security personnel deployed for the election comprise 15,000 police officers, 10,210 operatives of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), and about 100 officers from the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), who are specifically tasked with preventing vote buying and electoral inducement.
NSCDC Commandant-General Prof. Abubakar Audi ordered an additional 10,000 personnel drawn from 10 neighbouring state commands, including Oyo, Lagos, Kwara, Kogi, and the Federal Capital Territory, with roughly 1,000 from each. Specialised units such as the K9 Unit and the Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) Unit have also been activated.
Audi warned that "criminal-minded persons and political thugs willing to disrupt the peaceful conduct of the election would face the wrath of the law as prescribed in the Electoral Act."
Soldiers Take Charge at INEC Headquarters
Armed soldiers took up positions at INEC's Osun headquarters in Osogbo on Monday, supported by three Armoured Personnel Carriers (APCs). A security source said the soldiers arrived on Sunday, with police and NSCDC personnel expected to reinforce the location in the coming days.
Fourteen political parties are contesting the election. The main contenders are incumbent Governor Ademola Adeleke of the Accord Party, Bola Oyebamiji of the All Progressives Congress (APC), and Najeem Salam of the African Democratic Congress (ADC).
IPAC Calls for Restraint
The Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC) urged all parties to reduce political tension ahead of the vote. Speaking in Abuja on Monday, IPAC National Chairman Yusuf Dantalle called on INEC to treat all candidates equally and on security agencies to protect voters rather than suppress them. He also criticised the freezing of Osun State Government accounts by the EFCC as "politically motivated."
As the state heads into its most watched political contest in years, all eyes are on the electoral process to ensure a free, fair, and credible outcome.
