KEY POINTS

• Viral audio alleges a plot by PDP to bomb INEC office.
• APC calls for an investigation into the alleged conspiracy.
• Governor Adeleke threatens a N5 billion lawsuit over defamation claims.

There is apprehension in Osun State over an alleged plot by some members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to bomb the headquarters of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). A viral voice note on social media features an unidentified PDP member in the state claiming that the All Progressives Congress (APC) might win the 2026 governorship election, suggesting a plan to prevent that by bombing INEC’s state office.

APC calls for investigation into viral audio threat

The APC responded by calling on the Inspector General of Police to investigate the audio, which allegedly detailed a plot to kill several people at INEC headquarters, including an assistant inspector general, the resident electoral commissioner, and 200 others.

The APC’s Director of Media and Publicity, Kola Olabisi, claimed the PDP member in the audio referenced a similar plan to bomb the INEC office during the 2018 elections, which Senator Ademola Adeleke and Dr. Deji Adeleke allegedly stopped. Olabisi emphasized the need for an investigation into the leaked audio.

“Why are Governor Adeleke and his co-travellers afraid of losing the election when it was apparent that a party lost to the PDP and the heavens did not fall?” Olabisi said. “Similarly, when Governor Adeleke loses the forthcoming governorship election, the heavens would also not cave in.”

Governor Adeleke denies involvement, threatens defamation lawsuit

In response to the alleged bombing plot, Governor Ademola Adeleke, through his spokesperson, Olawale Rasheed, threatened to take legal action against APC’s Kola Olabisi, demanding N5 billion in damages for defamation.

The governor described the APC’s allegations as “irresponsible and defamatory,” demanding a retraction of the statements.

“The allegation is reprehensible, baseless, and defamatory,” the statement read. “Mr. Governor has ordered his lawyers to review the situation and demand a retraction, as the Governor has not, in any way, planned or plotted an attack on INEC or any electoral official.”

Rasheed added that failure to retract the offensive publication could result in a libel suit demanding N5 billion in damages, stating, “This deliberate falsehood will have consequences.”