Politics
Osun LG polls: LP candidate alleges ballot fraud as OSSIEC blames police disruptions
Allegations of electoral irregularities have surfaced in Unit 4, Ward 7, Osogbo local government in the ongoing local government election in Osun State.
The allegations were made by Barrister Bode Babalola, the Labour Party, LP, Chairmanship candidate for Osogbo local government, while speaking with journalists.
Babalola raised concerns that thumb-printed ballot papers were stuffed in ballot boxes before being brought to his polling unit.
He also claimed that as of 9:30 a.m., no electoral officers were present at the polling station.
He said, “Upon the arrival of OSSIEC electoral officers, ballot papers had already been thumb-printed.
“When I came here in the morning, the place was empty. However, I later received information that some powerful PDP men had called OSSIEC officials to a meeting. I also discovered that in Units 7 and 16, ballot boxes had already been filled up,” Babalola stated.
He further claimed that when he challenged the officials, they defended the process by saying voting had begun as early as 7:00 a.m.
However, he argued that no voters could have legally cast their ballots at that time.
Meanwhile, despite the allegations, PDP Ward 7 Secretary, Kasali Nurudeen Olalekan, described the election in the same polling unit as peaceful and well-organized.
According to him, “OSSIEC officials arrived on time, and voting commenced by 8:00 a.m., with party agents verifying election materials before the process began.
“The election went smoothly, and the electorate came out to vote for their preferred candidates without violence,” Olalekan stated.
However, some voters alleged that the election did not hold in their polling units. It was gathered that the election in some polling units had concluded earlier than expected.
Meanwhile, the OSSIEC Chairman, Hashim Abioye, has called out the Nigeria Police for arresting staff of the Commission who were on election duty across the state.
While commending the electorate for coming out to exercise their right, Hashim, in a message made available to journalists, appealed to the media community for the inability of the Commission to provide accreditation materials.
“It was because the Police had sealed off the OSSIEC head office where the materials were kept.
“For the units where materials didn’t arrive early, it was due to the Police arresting the officials conveying the materials. New materials have been deployed, and voting is now ongoing,” he added.
Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Nyesom Wike, on Friday declared that he’s still a member of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP.
Wike’s comment followed his expulsion from the party by the faction led by National Chairman, Kabiru Turaki.
Turaki had formally dispatched expulsion certificates to 11 prominent party chieftains, including Wike, former Ekiti State governor, Ayodele Fayose, Senator Samuel Anyanwu, Umaru Bature, Kamarudeen Ajibade, SAN, Abdurahman Muhammad Senator Mao Ohuabunwa.
He said their expulsion was aimed at sanitising the party ahead of the 2027 elections.
Reacting to the development on Friday, Wike dismissed the claim while assuring that he would continue to work with other party members in making PDP a relevant opposition party.
The minister spoke while addressing journalists after inspecting the Interchange bridge and road linking Gwarinpa with Jahi and direct to Katampe, Gishiri and Maitama.
He said, “Those that are factionalized are bound to leave the party, I’m still in PDP and you can see that not everybody has left.
“We still have good numbers and we will continue to work together and that’s what I have said to the party. Put your house in order because at the end of the day, if you don’t put your house in order, it’s the party that is losing.
“So those who are worried, we can work together to see how the party can remain a relevant opposition.”
The governments of Abia and Imo States have announced the launching of a joint security taskforce and surveillance along the Aba-Owerri expressway, starting from Owerrinta in Abia State all the way to Owerri, Imo State.
The launch followed recent attacks by criminals on the expressway, including kidnapping, armed robbery and other criminal activities.
The formation of the joint security taskforce and surveillance was announced by Ferdinand Ekeoma, the Special Adviser to Governor Alex Otti on Media and Publicity.
His statement read in part: “Arising from a strategic emergency security meeting held today, 4th December, 2025, by the Governors of Abia and Imo Sates at the Imo State Government Owerri House, His Excellency Governor Alex Otti and His Excellency Senator Hope Uzodinma resolved to set up a joint security Taskforce that shall consist of Soldiers, Naval Personnel, Police Officers , DSS Personnel, and other Government Security Agencies.
“The joint security Taskforce shall, starting from tomorrow 5th December 2025, patrol the road 24 hours nonstop, while carrying out massive surveillance in the surrounding bushes using sophisticated drones and other modern security equipment.”
According to the statement, Governor Alex Otti commended the Governor of Imo State for arresting the criminals who carried out an attack on His advanced team and other passengers a few days ago.
“The two Governors, while assuring citizens plying the road on a daily basis and those returning home for Christmas of their safety and security, warn that there would be severe consequences for any criminal caught on the road going forward”, Ekeoma concluded.
President Bola Tinubu has transmitted to the senate two lists of 34 career and 31 non career ambassadors nominees for screening and confirmation.
Prominent names listed as non career ambassadors include Reno Omokri, Femi Fani-Kayode, Gen. Abdulrahman Dambazau, Victor Ikpeazu and Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi.
Also listed as non career ambassadors nominees are Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, Vice Admiral Ete Ibas, Senator Jimoh Ibrahim, Senator Nora Daduut, Fatima Ajimobi, and Senator Ita Enang among others.
The two lists brings to 68 number of persons nominated so far as ambassadors awaiting confirmation by the Senate.
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