The governorship candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Najeem Salaam, was whisked away by his security operatives after violence erupted at his polling unit in Ejigbo, Osun State, on Saturday. The Osun polling violence occurred at Unit 003, Iroyin Ayo Open Space, Ward 004, shortly after Salaam and his wife cast their ballots. The disturbance triggered panic among voters, electoral officials, observers and journalists at the location.

As the situation escalated, people fled the polling unit amid concerns for their safety. Salaam was subsequently taken away from the area by his security details, while voting was disrupted and electoral officials left the location. The incident effectively brought the voting process to a halt. The departure of INEC officials meant voters who had gathered to participate in the governorship election were unable to continue the exercise.

Personnel of the Department of State Services (DSS) and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) later arrived at the polling unit in an effort to restore order. However, the security personnel eventually left as tensions remained at the location. A voter identified as Adewale said he had arrived early in anticipation of casting his ballot but could not do so after the disturbance began.

“I came here early because I wanted to vote and return home. But after the crisis started, everybody ran away. Now the INEC officials and security men have left. We don’t know what will happen next,” he said.

Another voter, who spoke anonymously, said the disruption had stopped several residents from exercising their civic rights.

“We have been here since morning. We want to vote, but nobody is conducting the election anymore. The security people who came to restore order have also left,” the voter said.

The Osun polling violence highlights the immediate disruption that security incidents can cause at individual polling locations, particularly when voters, electoral officials and observers are forced to leave. As of the time of filing the report, voting remained suspended at the polling unit. Some voters, however, stayed behind awaiting information on whether electoral officials would return and the voting exercise would resume.