The unrest triggered panic among voters, INEC officials, election observers, and journalists, forcing many to flee the area.

As tensions escalated, Salaam was escorted away by his security team for his safety. The disturbance disrupted the electoral process, leading to the suspension of voting as electoral officials vacated the polling unit over security concerns.

Operatives of the Department of State Services, DSS, and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, NSCDC, later arrived to restore order. However, they eventually left while the atmosphere remained tense.

One voter, Adewale, lamented that he was unable to cast his ballot despite arriving early.

“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 requested anonymity, said the disruption denied many residents the opportunity to participate in the election.

“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.

As of the time of reporting, voting remained suspended at the polling unit, while some residents stayed behind awaiting official information on whether the exercise would resume.

“This is unfair to us. Many people did not eat before leaving their homes this morning. We don’t know if we will be allowed to cast our votes or not,” one of the voters said.

“They should have pity on us in this country and stop making us suffer. We’ve been here since 7:00 am waiting for INEC officials,” the voter added.

The development was captured in a video shared on X on Saturday, August 15, 2026, showing voters gathered at the polling unit as they waited for the voting process to begin.

Video.

“Without manipulation, I will win this election. The people of Osun are behind me and they are ready for change,” he said.

The former Speaker of the Osun State House of Assembly, however, voiced concerns over reports of alleged irregularities from several parts of the state.

According to him, information reaching his campaign team suggests attempts to influence the process, though he maintained that the party was closely monitoring developments.

Salaam also rejected allegations linking the ADC to vote-buying, insisting that the party’s campaign has focused on allowing citizens to make independent choices at the ballot box.

“Our party is not involved in vote buying. We believe that the people should be allowed to freely choose the candidate they want,” he stated.

He further alleged that some ADC polling agents were prevented from carrying out their duties in certain locations, warning that such actions could undermine confidence in the election.

Despite his concerns, Salaam urged voters and supporters to remain calm, law abiding and vigilant throughout the voting and counting process, expressing hope that the final outcome would reflect the genuine will of the people of Osun State.