The Action Peoples Party, APP, in Osun State has called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to strengthen the security of its technological systems ahead of the August 15 governorship election.

The party also warned against any form of manipulation that could undermine the credibility of the August 15 poll.

In a statement issued on Sunday by the Osun APP Chairman, Odesola Oluseye Titus, the party urged electoral officials to take immediate steps to secure all technology-related aspects of the electoral process against fraud and unauthorised interference.

He called for rigorous verification of the voters’ register, the proper functioning of card readers, and stronger safeguards to prevent unauthorised access to electoral data.

“We urge INEC to take immediate action to ensure that all the technological systems related to the electoral process are secured against fraudulent activities.

“This includes rigorous verification of the voters’ register, the proper functioning of card readers, and safeguarding against unauthorised access to data,” he said.

The APP demanded that the electoral body remain vigilant and proactive in addressing any technical challenges, insisting that every eligible voter must be allowed to participate freely and fairly in the election.

“We call on INEC to uphold its responsibility to the citizens and ensure that the electoral process is transparent, credible, and free from any form of technical tampering,” the statement added.

The party said it was expressing the concerns of residents of Osun State over alleged technical irregularities reported during the recent Ekiti State governorship election.

According to the APP, “Reports emerging from the Ekiti poll have raised questions about the reliability and transparency of some electoral practices, prompting calls for greater scrutiny of the technology deployed in future elections.

“The residents of Osun State have observed with increasing alarm the alleged technical irregularities that were reported during the recent Ekiti State Governorship Election.”

The party warned that the people of the state would not accept any attempt to manipulate the democratic process through technological means, stressing that the integrity of elections remains paramount.

“We want to emphasise unequivocally that the people of Osun State will not tolerate any form of technical rigging or manipulation that compromises the democratic process.

“The people of Osun State are watching closely, and we will not hesitate to mobilise against any strategies aimed at disenfranchising voters or manipulating the August 15 governorship election result,” he stated.

The APP expressed hope that INEC would provide assurances that the forthcoming governorship election would be conducted in line with the highest standards of integrity, transparency, and fairness.

The implosion in the ruling Kwara State All Progressives Congress (APC) has continued to escalate as Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq’s group storms the party’s national headquarters in Abuja on Monday to meet with the national leadership over the crisis triggered by the alleged imposition of Speaker Yakubu Danladi Salihu as the party’s gubernatorial candidate for the 2027 general elections in the state.

DAILY POST reports that the move by the governor’s camp comes on the heels of a strong petition to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu by 10 gubernatorial aspirants who kicked against the recent primary election that produced Engr Yakubu Danladi Salihu as the party’s gubernatorial candidate.

Recall that members of the party’s elders’ caucus in the state, led by Chief James Bamisaiye, and some aspirants had earlier rejected the emergence of Engr Yakubu Danladi Salihu in Abuja. They alleged that he was anointed by Governor AbdulRazaq and urged the party’s national leadership to intervene.

The chairman of the party in the state, Prince Sunday Fagbemi, is leading the governor’s team alongside former PDP Secretary, Razaq Lawal, and Chairman of the Niger River Basin Development Authority, Abdullateef Alakawa, among others, according to sources.

Credible sources familiar with the latest development hinted that the high-powered delegation of APC stakeholders aligned with the governor is on a mission to present the governor’s position to key organs of the ruling party.

A source involved in the planning of the Abuja trip revealed that arrangements had been concluded for members of the delegation to depart Ilorin aboard a chartered flight.

According to the source, the decision to use a chartered aircraft was informed by a desire to ensure that details of the movement are kept away from public scrutiny.

“We want to ensure that nobody knows who is travelling. So, we are leaving by 6 a.m. tomorrow, Monday, through a chartered flight,” the source said.

The governor’s group is expected to meet with the national chairman of the party and members of the party’s National Working Committee (NWC).

The team is also expected to hold consultations with the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Prince Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), as part of broader efforts to secure support for the governor’s position on the unfolding political developments within the ruling party in the state.

While the governor’s supporters insist that the party remains united and capable of resolving its internal differences, political analysts and critics are, however, of the view that recent developments reflect widening cracks within the APC’s structure in the state.

Yiaga Africa has confirmed that the Independent National Electoral Commission’s, INEC, official results for the 2026 Ekiti State governorship election align with its own independent tally, but the group raised red flags over widespread vote buying and inconsistencies in voter turnout data.

Speaking in Ado-Ekiti on Sunday, the election observer group said its Process and Results Verification for Transparency, PRVT, methodology showed that INEC’s declared results matched ballots counted at polling units.

Yiaga Africa commended INEC for improvements in logistics and conduct, including early deployment of materials and personnel, prompt accreditation and voting, and a generally peaceful atmosphere across the state.

However, the group highlighted key concerns: rampant voter inducement, weak management of sensitive materials, poor public communication on late administrative and judicial decisions, and turnout figures that don’t add up.

“The numbers: Yiaga’s statistical projections estimated the All Progressives Congress (APC) at 83.9–87.1% of votes, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) at 8.5–11.7%, and the African Democratic Congress (ADC) at 2.9–4.1%. All fell within INEC’s announced results.

“The turnout gap: Yiaga’s estimated turnout was 34.1–38.2%, while INEC announced 38.7%. Yiaga noted INEC appeared to use the 2022 registered voters figure instead of the updated 2026 register.

Yiaga recommended that “INEC should clarify the turnout discrepancy and tighten quality control for sensitive materials ahead of future polls, including the 2027 general elections.

“Security agencies need to crack down harder on vote buying and voter intimidation.

“Political parties must better train polling agents on electoral laws and guidelines.

“Regulating incumbency powers and the use of state resources is critical to ensure fair competition.

“Yiaga Africa stressed that while election administration has improved, vote buying and management lapses remain serious threats to Nigeria’s electoral integrity.”