Osun 2026: Large turnout in Ikire as voters await accreditation

There was a large turnout of voters in Ikire, Irewole Local Government Area of Osun State on Saturday as residents trooped to polling centres to elect the next governor of the state.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that voters arrived at their polling units as early as 7am, checking the registers pasted on walls for their names ahead of accreditation.

NAN reports that officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) had already set up at the polling units before 7am.

This was in preparation for accreditation and voting.

Unarmed police officers were seen at the polling centres, while armed security personnel, soldiers, and patrol vehicles were deployed at strategic locations around the town.

However, as of 8:20am, vehicular movement was observed along the Ife-Ibadan Road, which passes through the town, while motorcycles and some cars moved around the town.

The atmosphere remained peaceful, with some shops also open for business as residents went about their activities in the ongoing election.

NAN reports that Ikire is the hometown of the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate in the Osun State governorship election, Bola Oyebamiji, who is expected to vote at Ward 9, Unit 3, AUD School Atile, Ikire in Irewole Local Government Area.