TMG Commends INEC Over Smooth Osun Governorship Election, Urges Protection Of Voters’ Mandate

The Transition Monitoring Group (TMG) has commended the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for the relatively seamless conduct of the 15 August 2026 Osun State Governorship Election, citing the absence of major technical glitches in most polling locations and the real-time uploading of results on the INEC Result Viewing Portal (IReV).

The group also praised Osun voters for their peaceful participation and determination to exercise their democratic rights despite reported cases of vote buying, intimidation, harassment and other attempts to suppress voters.

In a statement signed by TMG Chairman and Executive Director of the Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC), Auwal Musa Rafsanjani, the group said the election demonstrated that Nigeria can achieve more transparent and credible electoral processes when technology and established procedures function effectively.

TMG said the performance of INEC under Professor Joash Ojo Amupitan showed that the commission was capable of delivering a credible election, while cautioning against blaming it for every electoral malpractice.

“INEC deserves commendation where it gets things right. The Osun experience demonstrates that the Commission is capable of conducting a transparent electoral process, particularly through the effective deployment of technology and real-time results transmission. At the same time, Nigerians must continue to demand improvements and hold the Commission accountable where it falls short,” the group said.

According to TMG, vote buying, intimidation, thuggery and other forms of electoral manipulation are largely perpetrated by political actors and their supporters. It therefore called for those responsible to be held accountable rather than shifting responsibility entirely to the electoral commission.

The group noted that the Osun election, alongside recent governorship elections in Anambra, Ondo, Edo and Ekiti states, provides encouraging evidence that peaceful and credible elections are possible when electoral processes are respected and the will of voters is upheld.

It urged candidates and political parties that contested the Osun election to demonstrate political maturity by accepting the outcome, while encouraging those with legitimate grievances to seek redress through established legal and electoral channels.

TMG also called on the judiciary to protect genuine mandates freely given by voters and ensure that electoral litigation strengthens rather than undermines the sanctity of the ballot. While acknowledging the constitutional role of the courts in resolving electoral disputes, it cautioned against the use of technicalities, procedural manipulation or politically motivated litigation to overturn the genuine choice of the electorate.

The group further urged political parties to move away from electoral politics driven by violence, vote buying, ethnic and religious mobilisation and empty slogans. Instead, parties should compete on the basis of character, competence, credible programmes, track records and practical solutions to the country’s challenges.

Ahead of the 2027 General Elections, TMG urged Nigerians to take greater responsibility for the quality of leadership they elect by obtaining and safeguarding their Permanent Voter Cards, ensuring prompt accreditation and turning out to vote without selling their votes.

It cautioned voters against choosing candidates solely on the basis of religion, ethnicity, region, party loyalty or political slogans, urging them to scrutinise candidates’ records, programmes, teams and policy priorities.

“Democracy is ultimately strengthened by informed and courageous voters. Nigerians must not sell their votes and must not allow religion, ethnicity, region or party loyalty to replace the responsibility of evaluating candidates on their character, competence, track record and credible plans for the country,” TMG said.

TMG urged INEC to build on the gains recorded in Osun by strengthening election technology, logistics, voter accreditation, results transmission and public communication ahead of 2027.

It also called on security agencies, law enforcement bodies and anti-corruption institutions to intensify action against vote buying, intimidation, thuggery and other electoral offences, stressing that credible elections require an effective electoral commission, responsible political actors, professional security agencies and informed voters.

The group reaffirmed its commitment to monitoring Nigeria’s electoral processes and promoting peaceful, transparent and accountable elections.

“The Osun experience should strengthen Nigerians’ confidence that credible elections are possible. We must give credit where it is due, demand improvement where necessary and, most importantly, protect the power of the ballot by ensuring that every vote counts and every mandate freely given by the people is respected,” TMG said.