The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has called on Nigeria’s key anti-graft and electoral bodies to launch an immediate, transparent investigation into reported cases of vote-buying, voter intimidation, and electoral violence during the 2026 Osun State governorship election.
In a petition dated August 15, 2026, addressed to the heads of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), SERAP urged a coordinated response to protect the integrity of the vote.
Demands for International Scrutiny and Evidence Preservation
Signed by SERAP Deputy Director Kolawole Oluwadare, the organization urged the agencies to invite external observers from the African Union (AU), ECOWAS, the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights, and relevant United Nations mechanisms to provide complementary oversight.
“The legitimacy and credibility of the Osun State election result ultimately depend upon whether voters were genuinely able to freely exercise their right to participation and political choice,” the petition stated.
To ensure accountability, SERAP urged authorities to:
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Trace Financial Flows: Identify, track, and freeze sources of funds deployed for unlawful electoral inducements.
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Preserve Digital Evidence: Secure bank records, mobile-money transactions, telecommunications logs, CCTV footage, and polling-unit records.
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Prosecute Offenders: Arrest and try individuals, sponsors, and facilitators suspected of financial and electoral crimes.
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Review Campaign Finance: Enforce compliance with expenditure limits and disclosure mandates under Sections 91–94 of the Electoral Act 2026.
Observer Reports Detail Widespread Infractions
SERAP highlighted preliminary findings from the EU Support to Democratic Governance in Nigeria Election Observation Hub (EU-SDGN EOH), which recorded 323 electoral offences across 726 observed polling units by noon on election day.
Additionally, the Nigeria Civil Society Situation Room reported instances of voter inducement—including the distribution of food and drinks in Isokan Local Government Area that led to localized disorder—alongside the harassment of election observers by political thugs.
SERAP noted that the alleged infractions violate Sections 125, 131, and 132 of the Electoral Act 2026, which criminalize bribery and undue influence, as well as provisions of the 1999 Nigerian Constitution (as amended).
The rights group further emphasized that vote-buying and voter coercion breach Nigeria’s international commitments under Article 25 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) and Article 13(1) of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights.
SERAP stressed that swift action is vital not only to address the Osun election outcome, but to restore public confidence and deter electoral malpractices ahead of the 2027 general elections.
