Follow Us on Google
The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) to jointly investigate alleged vote-buying, financial inducement, violence, voter intimidation, and other electoral offences recorded during the 2026 Osun State governorship election.
SERAP also urged the agencies to facilitate independent scrutiny of the election 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.
The organisation made the demands in a petition dated August 15, 2026, signed by its Deputy Director, Kolawole Oluwadare, and addressed to the chairmen of INEC, EFCC and ICPC.
SERAP said the agencies should trace the sources and movement of funds allegedly used for vote-buying and other unlawful electoral activities, while identifying individuals or organisations that provided, authorised, distributed or facilitated such funds.
It also called for the preservation and examination of banking and mobile money records, telecommunications data, CCTV footage, polling unit records, and other documentary and digital evidence that could assist investigations.
According to the organisation, persons reasonably suspected of electoral, corruption or other criminal offences should be investigated, arrested and prosecuted where appropriate, including those who financed or facilitated the alleged offences.
SERAP said, “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.”
It added that allegations of vote-buying, intimidation and violence raised serious questions about whether the election reflected the free will of the electorate.
“A joint investigation by the agencies would ensure coordinated examination of the electoral, financial and criminal dimensions of the reported electoral offences and violations,” the organisation said.
SERAP further urged the agencies to make their findings public and ensure that relevant evidence is made available, where lawful and appropriate, to competent electoral tribunals and other accountability mechanisms.
The organisation said the measures were necessary not only to ensure accountability for the Osun election but also to deter electoral corruption and violence and strengthen public confidence ahead of the 2027 general elections.
SERAP cited preliminary reports by the EU Support to Democratic Governance in Nigeria Election Observation Hub (EU-SDGN EOH), which it said recorded 323 electoral offences and irregularities across 726 polling units observed as of noon on election day.
The reported incidents allegedly included 103 cases of vote trading, 28 cases involving inducement of polling and security officials, 31 cases of voter obstruction, 38 cases of campaigning at polling units, 14 cases of voter impersonation and 12 cases of multiple voting.
Other News
The observers also reportedly recorded seven cases of election-official misconduct and 85 cases involving the exposure of ballot papers.
SERAP said 38 security incidents were also recorded, including alleged cases of thuggery, attacks on electoral officials and voter intimidation.
It further cited the Nigeria Civil Society Situation Room, which reportedly documented cases of vote-buying and other forms of inducement, including the distribution of food and drinks at a polling unit in Isokan Local Government Area.
According to SERAP, the Situation Room also reported the harassment of an election observer and alleged disruption by thugs.
The organisation said the reported incidents could constitute violations of Nigeria’s electoral laws and constitutional provisions, as well as obligations arising from international human rights treaties ratified by the country.
SERAP specifically referenced provisions of the Electoral Act 2026 relating to bribery, undue influence, violence and political financing, as well as provisions allowing election results to be challenged on grounds of corrupt practices or substantial non-compliance with electoral laws.
It also cited Article 25 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, which protects citizens’ right to participate in public affairs and vote, as well as Article 13 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights on citizens’ right to participate freely in government.
The organisation urged INEC, EFCC and ICPC to immediately commence a joint investigation into the allegations, investigate the financial networks behind alleged vote-buying and preserve relevant evidence.
It also called for investigations into compliance with campaign contribution, expenditure and funding requirements under the Electoral Act.
SERAP further urged the agencies to publish their findings and take appropriate legal action where credible evidence establishes that corruption, inducement, coercion or violence materially affected voters or the election outcome.
The organisation said regional and international scrutiny would provide an additional layer of transparency and accountability while helping to assess the wider implications of the reported violations for Nigeria’s democratic and human rights obligations.
SERAP maintained that decisive action over alleged electoral offences in Osun would send a strong message that electoral corruption, violence and voter intimidation would not be tolerated in Nigeria.
It said such action would also be important in safeguarding the credibility of future elections, particularly the 2027 general elections.
