The Policy and Legal Advocacy Centre (PLAC) has described the just-concluded Osun State governorship election as largely peaceful, but raised concerns over vote-buying, technological challenges and other irregularities capable of undermining public confidence in Nigeria’s electoral process.
The assessment was contained in the preliminary situation report presented by the Situation Room, a coalition of civil society organisations coordinated by PLAC, at a press briefing in Abuja on Monday.
Speaking to journalists, the Co-Convener of the Situation Room, Nma Odi, and its Secretariat Coordinator, Agianpe Onyema, said the August 15 election witnessed a generally peaceful atmosphere, with voters in many polling units able to cast their ballots without widespread violence or disruption.
The group, however, said reports received from its observer networks, including Partners for Electoral Reform, the Centre for Democracy and Development and other civil society organisations deployed across the state, pointed to several shortcomings that require urgent attention ahead of the 2027 general elections.
According to the Situation Room, officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and security agencies largely discharged their responsibilities in line with established procedures, while accreditation and voting commenced in many polling units within the stipulated timeframe.
It noted that the election recorded 1,585,805 accredited voters, representing about 43.32 per cent of registered voters in the state.
The organisation, however, said technological challenges associated with the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) affected the accreditation process in some polling units.
It said some voters and electoral officials experienced difficulties with fingerprint authentication and facial recognition, resulting in delays and, in some cases, difficulties completing the accreditation process.
“Technology remains an important instrument in strengthening confidence in the electoral process, but technical failures can undermine that confidence,” the group said.
The Situation Room also expressed concern over reports of vote-buying and inducement of voters in some parts of the state.
It said its observers received reports of political actors allegedly offering money and other inducements to voters after they had cast their ballots, describing the practice as a direct assault on the principle of free choice and democratic participation.
The group urged security agencies and relevant authorities to investigate such allegations and prosecute those found culpable.
It also raised concerns about the conduct of some political party agents, including alleged attempts to influence voters, monitor how they voted and collect information from voters after voting.
Despite the challenges, the Situation Room commended the people of Osun State for their largely peaceful conduct throughout the electoral process.
It also praised electoral officials and security personnel for maintaining order in most polling locations, while urging them to strengthen their preparedness for future elections.
The organisation said the Osun election offered important lessons for Nigeria ahead of the 2027 general elections, stressing that electoral technology alone could not guarantee credible elections.
“Technology can strengthen transparency, but technology cannot guarantee credible elections,” the group noted, stressing that credible elections require the combined effectiveness of electoral authorities, security agencies, political parties, the judiciary, observers, the media and citizens.
The Situation Room called on INEC to address technological and logistical shortcomings identified during the election and improve voter education ahead of 2027.
It also urged the National Assembly to review existing electoral laws and strengthen mechanisms for resolving electoral disputes within constitutionally prescribed timelines.
The group further called on security agencies to strengthen mechanisms for preventing electoral offences, including vote-buying, intimidation and other forms of voter inducement.
Political parties, it said, must deepen internal democracy, promote issue-based campaigns and discourage practices capable of undermining the credibility of elections.
It also renewed its call for stronger institutional mechanisms for investigating and prosecuting electoral offences, including consideration of the establishment of an Electoral Offences Commission.
The Situation Room said the Osun experience should not merely be celebrated for its peaceful conduct but should be used to identify and address weaknesses in Nigeria’s electoral system before 2027.
It urged the government, INEC, political parties, security agencies, civil society organisations, the media and other stakeholders to work collectively towards building a more credible, transparent and inclusive electoral system.
“As Nigeria moves towards the 2027 general elections, all stakeholders must build on the positive lessons from Osun State while urgently addressing the weaknesses identified,” the group said.
It added that Nigeria’s democracy must move beyond elections that are merely conducted to elections that are “demonstrably credible, transparent and inclusive.”
