Osun electoral commission fails to accredit journalists for LG polls
The Osun State Independent Electoral Commission (OSIEC) has failed to accredit journalists for the controversial local government elections taking place today.
Earlier, OSIEC’s Information Officer, Sadiat Isiaka, stated that only accredited media organizations and observer teams with official tags and jackets issued by the Commission would be allowed access to polling units, wards, local government areas, and the Central Collation Centre.
She warned, “Any unauthorized media or observer team without an authorization letter, official jackets, and tags from the Commission will be treated as an impostor.”
Despite multiple attempts, journalists—particularly those from print and broadcast media under the Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ)—were unable to secure accreditation. NUJ Correspondents’ Chapel Chairman, Shina Abubakar, confirmed the development, stating that OSIEC had failed to grant journalists the necessary accreditation for election coverage.
The lack of media access has raised concerns about transparency and the flow of information regarding the electoral process in Osun State.
Meanwhile, Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, has cast his vote in the ongoing election. Speaking to journalists after voting at his polling unit on Saturday morning, he described the process as peaceful and urged residents to turn out, vote, and return home calmly.
“The process has been very peaceful. I made a broadcast to my good people of Osun State that this election should be peaceful. They should come out and cast their votes and go home peacefully. We should not give them any chance to say there is violence there or there,” he said.
