Osun State Governor, Senator Ademola Adeleke has declared that he has no deal to share legislative or local government area-seats with the Osun chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

The governor made the clarification amidst social media reports that the deal between the governor and the presidency include sharing of local government positions as well as those of Senate, House of Representatives and State Assembly between Osun Accord and the state APC in the forthcoming elections.

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The governor who reaffirmed his commitment to the re-election of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu said the negotiation for the resolution of the local government crisis targets protection of the interests of both the APC chairpersons and those of the elected PDP chairmen and councillors, affirming that reports of office sharing remain mere fabrication and fake news.

“As the governor of all Osun indigenes and residents, we are working to resolve the local government matter by ensuring that all interests are protected and cared for. As at now, all stakeholders agreed that restoring grassroots governance is a condition for our successful campaign ahead of the 2027 elections”, the governor posited.

While assuring that the local government crisis will be resolved before the end of the year, the governor submitted that he did not enter into any agreement to share legislative seats with the Osun APC as has been rumoured, declaring that “what unites the coalition partners is only the presidential elections.

“As I said while inaugurating the Presidential Campaign Council, the coalition is targeted at the presidential election. Partners agreed to join hands to ensure our dear president is re-elected. All other legislative positions are open for competition. I will work and campaign for Accord candidates for Senate, House of Representatives and the State House of Assembly.

“I urge all political parties to campaign for their candidates as I will do for Accord candidates. We have no deal on the National Assembly and the State Assembly elections. All our candidates will face the electorate who has the final say”, Adeleke said.

The spokesperson of the Atiku Abubakar presidential campaign, Kenneth Okonkwo, has accused the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) of creating a potential conflict of interest ahead of the 2027 general elections, alleging that allowing the wife of Segun Sowunmi to head the commission’s Electoral Operations Department amounts to rigging the election before it takes place.

Okonkwo made the allegation during an appearance on ARISE News on Wednesday, where he questioned the appropriateness of the appointment and argued that the position carries responsibilities capable of influencing the conduct of elections.

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Explaining his objection, the lawyer and political commentator said the issue was not necessarily whether the appointee would act impartially, but whether the relationship could create a reasonable perception of bias.

“We are not talking about whether there will be bias. We are saying that anything that has the likelihood of bias is not allowed,” he said.

He compared the situation to legal and medical professions, arguing that certain relationships are considered inappropriate when they could compromise professional independence.

“That is why your father cannot be a judge in your own case. Your father may be the most honest person in the whole world, but cannot be a judge in your own case if you are the son. It is illegal,” Okonkwo said.

He also cited an instance involving a senator whose wife was a judge, arguing that personal relationships could raise questions about impartiality in the handling of official responsibilities.

Okonkwo said the Electoral Operations Department plays a central role in the administration of elections, particularly in the distribution of electoral materials and the deployment of personnel.

Listing the department’s responsibilities, he said it oversees the distribution of sensitive and non-sensitive election materials, recruits and trains ad hoc staff, and coordinates polling unit and collation operations.

According to him, these responsibilities make the position particularly important to the credibility of the 2027 elections.

“So allowing the wife of Sowunmi to be the electoral operations department officer is rigging the election before the time,” he said.

He further argued that the appointment should be considered against the political affiliations of those involved, referencing Sowunmi’s political association and his criticism of President Bola Tinubu’s administration.

He alleged that the circumstances surrounding the appointment created a risk of bias, insisting that the concern was about the possibility of compromised electoral neutrality rather than proof that election manipulation had already occurred.

When asked to provide evidence that the election had already been rigged, Okonkwo maintained that the likelihood of bias was sufficient to warrant concern.

“No, I’m telling you, there is absolute likelihood of bias. I’m telling you what the law says,” he said.

He also questioned the integrity of the voters’ register, alleging that deceased persons remained listed among registered voters.

“What is going on in the voters register? You can see how dead people are still found there. Akeredolu is still there,” he said.

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has announced plans to make the preliminary register of voters for the 2027 general elections available online following concerns over its accessibility.

This comes after reports of delays in uploading the preliminary register online, despite the completion of the nationwide physical display exercise, raising concerns about public access to the document ahead of the 2027 general elections.

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In a press statement issued on Monday, October 26, 2026, Mohammed Kudu Haruna, Chairman of INEC’s Information and Voter Education Committee (IVEC), said the commission had taken note of concerns expressed by Nigerians and other stakeholders regarding the need to make the register accessible online.

INEC disclosed that it conducted the physical display of the Preliminary Register of Voters at Registration Areas nationwide from October 9 to 15, 2026.

According to the commission, the exercise was carried out in accordance with Section 19 of the Electoral Act, 2026, to provide registered voters with an opportunity to inspect their particulars and submit claims and objections as prescribed by law.

Responding to the concerns, INEC said it had decided to make the same preliminary register available through its online platform.

“Accordingly, and in furtherance of its commitment to transparency, accessibility and public confidence in the electoral process, the Commission has decided to make available on its online platform display.inecnigeria.org the same Preliminary Register of Voters earlier displayed at the Registration Areas,” the statement said.

The commission explained that the additional measure would complement the physical display already conducted and provide wider access to the register.

“This additional measure complements the physical display already undertaken and is intended to facilitate wider public access to the Register,” INEC stated.

The commission added that it was continuing to process claims and objections arising from the exercise in accordance with the Electoral Act, 2026.

INEC said the process would precede the certification and publication of the Final Register of Voters, scheduled for December 15, 2026.

The commission also appreciated Nigerians and other stakeholders for their continued interest and engagement, reiterating its commitment to transparency, accountability and credible elections.

“The Commission appreciates the continued interest and constructive engagement of Nigerians and stakeholders and reiterates its commitment to transparency, accountability and the faithful implementation of the Electoral Act, 2026 in delivering credible elections,” the statement added.