Senator Dino Melaye has raised the alarm over an alleged plan to withdraw security personnel deployed to polling units and collation centres across Osun State amid the ongoing governorship election.
Melaye, who spoke as the Accord Party was reportedly leading in several polling units, alleged that the move was part of a plan by the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the government to create an opportunity for compromised security personnel to manipulate the electoral process.
He urged voters, observers and other stakeholders across the state to remain vigilant and protect their votes until the final results are announced.
According to Melaye, any attempt to withdraw soldiers and other security personnel from polling units and collation centres would raise suspicion that there was an attempt to rig the election.
“We will not allow rigging in Osun,” Melaye said, urging Nigerians in the state not to abandon the collation centres and to ensure that the votes cast by the people are properly protected.
He further warned that any attempt to manipulate the outcome of the election could create tension and have wider implications for Nigeria’s democratic process, describing the Osun election as an important test ahead of the 2027 general elections.
“We will not allow rigging to stand. It will not stand, and we will not take it. Enough is enough,” he declared.
Melaye’s allegations, however, remain claims and have not been independently verified. The authorities and the APC had yet to publicly confirm any plan to withdraw security personnel from polling units or collation centres at the time of reporting.
The Osun governorship election is being closely watched as voters across the state cast their ballots to determine the next governor. Accord is the platform of incumbent Governor Ademola Adeleke, who is seeking re-election.
