Najeem Salaam says agents were denied tags in about 10 LGAs as voting continues across Osun
African Democratic Congress (ADC) governorship candidate, Dr Najeem Salaam, has raised concerns over the alleged failure to recognise some of his party’s agents at polling locations during the ongoing Osun State governorship election.
Salaam said the ADC had submitted and uploaded the names of its agents on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) platform as required, but alleged that some of the agents were not given the necessary tags to carry out their duties at polling units.
According to the candidate, the problem was reported in about 10 Local Government Areas of the state.
Salaam raised the concern after casting his vote at Ward 4, Unit 13, Ejigbo, where he also spoke about the need for the electoral process to remain peaceful and transparent.
He said party agents play an important role in the election because they are expected to monitor proceedings at polling units, including accreditation, voting, counting and the recording of results.
The ADC candidate said the matter had already been reported to the relevant authorities and expressed hope that it would be resolved without affecting the credibility of the election.
Despite the complaint, Salaam said voting in Ejigbo was peaceful when he assessed the situation and urged voters and political actors to remain calm.
The allegation comes as Osun voters across the state’s 30 local government areas participate in the governorship election.
The election is being closely watched because of the strong contest involving the major political parties and candidates.
Salaam, a former Speaker of the Osun State House of Assembly, entered the race as the ADC candidate after the party positioned itself as an alternative to the established political forces in the state. His campaign had focused on governance reforms, job creation, security, education, infrastructure and economic development.
The ADC had also urged its supporters before the election to remain vigilant and protect their votes.
The issue of party agents is particularly important because agents are expected to serve as representatives of political parties at polling units and observe the electoral process on behalf of their candidates.
However, Salaam’s allegation remains an allegation at this stage, and there is no independent confirmation from INEC in the information currently available to IBN NEWS that ADC agents were deliberately denied recognition across the claimed 10 local government areas.
The development comes against the background of heightened concerns about the credibility and security of the Osun election.
In the weeks leading to the poll, political parties exchanged allegations over possible voter inducement and other practices capable of affecting the electoral process.
The police have also warned politicians and their supporters against inflammatory statements and violence as the election progresses.
For the ADC, the immediate concern is that all its accredited agents should be allowed to perform their lawful duties and monitor the process until the final results are declared.
Salaam has called for calm while authorities address the complaint.
As voting continues, attention will now turn to the collation of results and whether the process will proceed without further disputes.
The credibility of the election will depend not only on voters being allowed to cast their ballots but also on the transparency of counting, collation and declaration of results.
IBN NEWS will continue to monitor developments across Osun State as the election progresses.
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