INEC Materials Destroyed in Ejigbo as Voters Flee; Najeem Salam Reacts

By Orient Foundation Election Desk

Voting was disrupted at Unit 13, Ward 4, in Ejigbo Local Government Area of Osun State, following an incident in which hoodlums reportedly destroyed electoral materials at the polling unit.

The disruption also forced voters to leave the area as they reportedly fled for their safety.

The polling unit is associated with the governorship candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Rt. Hon. Najeem Salam, who reacted strongly to the incident after casting his vote.

Salam alleges targeted attack

Speaking after the incident, Salam described the development as a deliberate attempt to attack him and disrupt the electoral process.

According to the ADC candidate, he was able to avoid the alleged attack because he moved away from the area, while his security personnel helped him leave safely.

He said the incident was particularly concerning because voting had already been taking place before his arrival and the disruption occurred shortly after he cast his ballot.

“There was a total disruption of the electoral process and their plan was to attack me.”

Salam said the incident could not be regarded as a minor development, describing it as a serious and allegedly coordinated attack.

Voters reportedly fled the polling unit

The ADC candidate also expressed concern over the effect of the incident on voters, particularly elderly residents who were reportedly forced to run from the polling area.

He questioned how citizens could participate meaningfully in an election if they were unable to vote without fear for their safety.

“A lot of people ran for their lives.”

Salam further expressed disappointment over what he described as inadequate protection for voters during the incident.

Security response questioned

Salam said security personnel had arrested one person in connection with the incident and expressed hope that the suspect would remain in custody while the matter was investigated.

He called for further investigation into the circumstances surrounding the disruption, including whether the incident was specifically targeted at him.

He also questioned the conduct of security officials at the scene, alleging that some officers appeared to watch events unfold without taking sufficient action.

Concerns over the democratic process

The ADC candidate used the incident to raise broader concerns about the state of democracy and election security in Nigeria.

He argued that citizens should be able to exercise their constitutional right to vote without intimidation, violence or interference.

Salam questioned the purpose of election campaigns and voting if citizens could be prevented from freely casting their ballots or if their votes were not allowed to count.

“If we really want to protect the democracy that we are all yearning for, this is not the way to go.”

He further described the situation as resembling a process of selection rather than a genuine election, expressing concern about the use of force and intimidation in the electoral process.

Call for accountability

Salam appealed to those involved in electoral violence to reconsider their actions and warned that political power is temporary.

He called for greater responsibility from political actors and security agencies, stressing the importance of leaving behind a democratic system that future generations can trust.

“You are in power today; you will not be there tomorrow. What legacy are we leaving for them?”

Orient Foundation’s civic perspective

Incidents of violence, destruction of electoral materials and the displacement of voters can have serious implications for the credibility and inclusiveness of an election.

Orient Foundation will continue to monitor developments around the 2026 Osun State Governorship Election, with particular attention to voter safety, electoral participation, security responses and the protection of citizens’ democratic rights.

Disclaimer: The allegations and statements attributed to Najeem Salam in this report represent his account of the incident. They should not be treated as independently established facts unless subsequently verified by competent authorities or additional credible evidence.