Osun 2026: Former Minister Jelili Adesiyan Decries Slow BVAS Performance, Warns of Voter Disfranchisement

As voters across Osun State marched out in their thousands to elect their next governor, the promise of a seamless, technology-driven electoral process faced an early litmus test. At Polling Unit 4, Ward 9 in Ode-Omu, Ayedaade Local Government Area, the atmosphere transitioned from eager anticipation to palpable frustration as the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) reportedly struggled to authenticate eager citizens. The delay left long queues of voters stranded in the morning sun, raising early concerns about the efficiency of the Independent National Electoral Commission's (INEC) technological infrastructure.

Among those caught in the administrative bottleneck was the former Minister of Police Affairs, Alhaji Jelili Adesiyan. After waiting for an extended period to cast his ballot, the elder statesman did not hide his displeasure with the slow pace of the accreditation process. According to on-the-ground accounts, Adesiyan lamented that the device took an unusually long time to capture fingerprints and facial features, a situation he warned could severely dampen the enthusiasm of voters who had queued up as early as 7:00 AM.

The former minister emphasized that while technological intervention in Nigerian elections is a welcome development to curb electoral malpractice, its efficiency must be non-negotiable. He noted that in a critical election like Osun 2026, any system failure that delays voters for several minutes per individual could lead to voluntary disenfranchisement, as many traders, farmers, and elderly citizens might choose to return home rather than endure grueling hours on queue.

Unconfirmed reports from neighboring polling units within the local government area suggest that the slow performance of the BVAS was not an isolated incident. Party agents and election observers on the ground have reportedly begun documenting these technical hitches, urging INEC’s technical support teams to intervene swiftly before the scheduled closing time for accreditation and voting.