Amanze Chinonye
The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has called on Nigeria’s electoral and anti-corruption agencies to jointly investigate reported cases of vote-buying, financial inducement, violence and other electoral offences during the 2026 Osun State governorship election,Prime Business Africa reports.
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In a petition dated Aug. 15 and signed by its Deputy Director, Kolawole Oluwadare, SERAP urged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) to conduct a transparent investigation into alleged electoral malpractice, including illegal election financing, voter intimidation, misuse of public resources and violence.
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The organisation also called for independent scrutiny by regional and international bodies, including the African Union (AU), ECOWAS, the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights and relevant United Nations human-rights mechanisms.
SERAP’s demands came after incumbent Governor Ademola Adeleke of the Accord Party was declared winner of the Aug. 15 election by INEC, securing 511,067 votes against 444,815 votes for the All Progressives Congress candidate, Bola Oyebamiji.
SERAP said preliminary observations by the EU Support to Democratic Governance in Nigeria Election Observation Hub (EU-SDGN EOH) pointed to hundreds of electoral offences and irregularities recorded during the poll.
According to the organisation, civil society observers recorded 323 electoral offences and irregularities across 726 polling units observed as of midday on election day. The reported incidents included 103 cases of vote trading, 28 cases of inducement involving polling and security officials, 31 cases of voter obstruction and 38 cases of campaigning at polling units.
Observers also recorded 14 cases of voter impersonation, 12 cases of multiple voting, seven cases of election-official misconduct and 85 cases involving exposure of ballot papers, SERAP said.
The organisation said 38 security incidents were also recorded, including alleged thuggery, attacks on electoral officials and voter intimidation.
SERAP also cited reports from the Nigeria Civil Society Situation Room alleging instances of vote-buying and other inducements, including the distribution of Jollof rice and drinks at a polling unit in Isokan Local Government Area. It said the incident allegedly caused disorder, while an election observer was reportedly harassed and thugs allegedly disrupted proceedings.
SERAP urged the three agencies to trace the sources and movement of funds allegedly used to influence voters, identify those who provided or facilitated the money and preserve relevant financial and digital evidence.
It specifically called for the examination of banking and mobile-money records, telecommunications data, CCTV footage, polling-unit records and other documentary evidence.
The organisation also urged the agencies to investigate compliance with political-finance provisions of the Electoral Act 2026 and prosecute suspects where credible evidence establishes electoral, corruption or other criminal offences.
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SERAP said the credibility of the election would depend not only on the final result but also on whether voters were able to exercise their political rights freely and without coercion.
“Where voters are allegedly induced with money or other benefits, threatened with violence, intimidated, obstructed or otherwise coerced, serious questions arise as to whether the Osun election reflected the free and genuine will of the electorate,” the organisation said in its petition.
It further urged the agencies to make their findings public and provide relevant evidence, where lawful and appropriate, to election tribunals and other competent accountability institutions.
SERAP said any investigation should also determine whether reported irregularities were substantial enough to have affected the election outcome.
The organisation said accountability for alleged offences in Osun would be important not only for the election but also for deterring electoral corruption and violence, strengthening public confidence in the electoral process and safeguarding the integrity of Nigeria’s 2027 general elections.
It called on INEC, EFCC and ICPC to report publicly on the steps taken in response to its petition.
Amanze Chinonye is a Staff Correspondent at Prime Business Africa, a rising star in the literary world, weaving captivating stories that transport readers to the vibrant landscapes of Nigeria and the rest of Africa. With a unique voice that blends with the newspaper's tradition and style, Chinonye's writing is a masterful exploration of the human condition, delving into themes of identity, culture, and social justice. Through her words, Chinonye paints vivid portraits of everyday African life, from the bustling markets of Nigeria's Lagos to the quiet villages of South Africa's countryside . With a keen eye for detail and a deep understanding of the complexities of Nigerian society, Chinonye's writing is both a testament to the country's rich cultural heritage and a powerful call to action for a brighter future. As a writer, Chinonye is a true storyteller, using her dexterity to educate, inspire, and uplift readers around the world.
