2026 Osun Guber Poll: APC Plotting to Sabotage Election Logistics, Lawmaker Bamidele Salam Alleges
Ahead of the August 15, 2026 governorship election in Osun State, the member representing Ede North/Ede South/Egbedore/Ejigbo Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, Hon. Bamidele Salam, has alleged that the All Progressives Congress (APC) is plotting to sabotage election logistics.
Salam, who is a member of the Accord Party, made the allegation during an interview on Channels Television’s Politics Today on Tuesday, where he also accused the opposition of sponsoring violence and attempting to intimidate voters ahead of the poll.
He alleged that the plot was aimed at disrupting the transportation of electoral materials by targeting transport unions expected to provide vehicles for the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
“The information available to us is that there was a strategic meeting where a decision was taken to sabotage the logistics chain for the forthcoming election. INEC relies on transport unions to provide buses, cars, and other vehicles for the movement of election materials across the state, and the plan is to frustrate that process,” he asserted.
Salam also claimed that armed individuals had attacked members of transport unions and alleged that security personnel failed to stop the incidents despite being present.
“We have videos and photographs showing policemen and Civil Defence officers at some of these locations while these incidents occurred. These are serious allegations that deserve thorough investigation,” he said.
The federal lawmaker also dismissed allegations that the Osun State Government was harbouring criminals within the Government House, insisting that Governor Ademola Adeleke had publicly challenged security agencies to arrest and prosecute anyone found to be involved in criminal activities.
“The governor has made it clear that if anyone within the Government House is found harbouring thugs or illegal weapons, such a person should be arrested and prosecuted. Nobody is above the law.”
He accused the Commissioner of Police in the state of failing to act on the allegations, claiming that the police command had not demonstrated the impartiality required ahead of the election.
Salam reiterated that Governor Adeleke does not encourage or sponsor violence, saying the governor has consistently maintained that “nobody’s blood is worth his political ambition.”
Responding to suggestions that his party was raising concerns because it feared defeat, Salam dismissed the claim, expressing confidence that the APC would stand no chance in a free and fair election.
“They know they do not stand any chance in a free and fair contest. That is why they are becoming desperate. Our appeal is for the President and the Inspector-General of Police to ensure that security agencies remain professional and neutral throughout the election,” he said.
The lawmaker further alleged that armed individuals had been seen moving around in branded APC vehicles, claiming that some of them openly displayed weapons without being arrested.
He called on security agencies to arrest and prosecute anyone found with illegal firearms, regardless of political affiliation. “If any member of our party is caught with an illegal weapon, such a person should be arrested immediately and charged to court. The law must apply equally to everyone,” he stressed.
Salam equally urged INEC to address shortcomings observed in recent off-cycle and by-elections across the country, including malfunctions of the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS), logistical delays, and other operational challenges. He encouraged the Commission to learn from previous elections to strengthen public confidence in the electoral process.
“We are not attacking INEC. We are simply drawing attention to issues observed in recent elections so they can be corrected. We want an election that is free, fair, and credible — one whose outcome every contestant will accept because the process is transparent,” he clarified.
He added that the people of Osun deserve an election where voters can cast their ballots without intimidation and be confident that every valid vote will count.
