Voting was disrupted on Saturday at the polling unit of African Democratic Congress (ADC) governorship candidate Najeem Salaam in Ejigbo, Osun State, after violence broke out shortly after the candidate cast his ballot.
The incident occurred at Polling Unit 003, Iroyin Ayo Open Space, Ward 004, where Salaam had voted alongside his wife. Shortly after the couple completed the voting process, tension reportedly escalated into a violent confrontation, forcing voters, electoral officials, observers and journalists to flee the area.
Salaam was reportedly taken away from the scene by his security personnel as the situation deteriorated. The disruption subsequently brought voting at the polling unit to a halt, leaving voters who had queued to cast their ballots stranded.
Security personnel from the Department of State Services (DSS) and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) later arrived at the polling unit in an attempt to restore order. However, reports said the situation remained unsettled, with the security personnel eventually leaving the area.
One voter, identified as Adewale, expressed frustration over the suspension of voting, saying he and other residents had been waiting since the morning to exercise their civic rights.
The incident has added to concerns over security surrounding the 2026 Osun governorship election, with other leading candidates, namely the incumbent Governor Ademola Adeleke of the Accord Party, and All Progressives Congress candidate, Bola Oyebamiji, already casting their ballots at their respective polling units.
