Reported by: Oahimire Omone Precious | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
The governorship candidate of the African Democratic Congress in Osun State, Dr Najeem Salaam, has raised serious concerns over the alleged non-recognition of his party's agents at several polling units across the state, describing the development as "worrisome and disturbing" and warning that the credibility of the electoral process could be called into question if the issue is not addressed.
Salaam, a former Speaker of the Osun State House of Assembly, spoke to journalists shortly after casting his vote at Ward 4, Unit 13, in his hometown of Ejigbo, Ejigbo Local Government Area, on Saturday, August 15, 2026. He revealed that despite the party uploading the names of all its agents onto the Independent National Electoral Commission platform ahead of the election, many of those agents were not issued identification tags and were subsequently not recognised at polling units. "Despite the fact that we uploaded all the names of our party agents, especially here in Ejigbo, the agents in Ward 5 for the ADC were not given tags. The same thing happened in about 10 local governments across the state," Salaam lamented.
The ADC candidate stressed that the presence and recognition of party agents were critical, particularly during the counting of votes. He said that without his agents being properly accredited and allowed to observe the collation process, the party would be unable to verify the accuracy of the results being announced at various polling units. "When the votes are being counted, it is necessary for my agents to be recognised at the polling units. If at the end of the day we do not have this, then the process becomes very questionable," he warned.
Salaam said he had reported the matter to the relevant authorities, who he claimed were looking into it. However, he expressed frustration over INEC's handling of the situation, questioning why agents whose names had been submitted through the required process were not issued tags. "When you request for the party to upload their party agent and we did, I don't understand how and why the party agent will not be given a tag," he said.
Beyond the agent recognition issue, Salaam also seized the opportunity to address allegations of vote buying, which have dominated discussions in the build-up to the election. The ADC candidate categorically denied any involvement in the practice, insisting that his party had focused on presenting its programmes and policies to the electorate. "Vote buying is out of it. I have never in my life bought votes. People will decide whom they want, and I think it should be very fair enough for them to have the right to choose whom they prefer as a candidate or as the governor of the state," he said.
Despite the challenges, Salaam expressed confidence in his chances of victory, provided the election was conducted fairly and without manipulation. He attributed his optimism to his faith in God and the support of the people. "For it to be a fair and fair election, with no rigging, manipulation, a level playing field, I trust my God that I'm going to win the election," he declared.
The ADC candidate, who is regarded as one of the three major contenders in the race alongside incumbent Governor Ademola Adeleke of the Accord Party and APC candidate Bola Oyebamiji, also noted that voting in Ejigbo Local Government Area had proceeded without any major crisis as of the time he spoke. He expressed hope that the exercise would remain peaceful until the conclusion of the election.
However, the non-recognition of ADC agents in about 10 local government areas has added to the growing concerns over the integrity of the electoral process in Osun State. With allegations of vote buying, political violence, and the exclusion of party agents already circulating, the ADC candidate's warning that the process is "questionable" has cast a shadow over what was meant to be a celebration of democracy. As voting continues and collation of results begins, the ADC and its supporters will be watching closely to ensure that their agents are finally recognised and that the will of the people is not subverted.
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