#OsunDecides2026: Probe vote-buying, violence, SERAP urges INEC, EFCC, ICPC

The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has called on Nigeria's electoral and anti-graft agencies to investigate alleged vote-buying, financial inducement, violence, and other electoral offenses during the 2026 Osun State governorship election. This appeal was made shortly after Governor Ademola Adeleke of the Accord Party was declared the winner, securing a second term.

The demand from SERAP comes amid reports of alleged vote-buying and other irregularities that marred the poll. The State Returning Officer, Professor Joshua Ogunwole, declared Adeleke the winner with 511,067 votes against the All Progressives Congress candidate Bola Oyebamiji's 444,815 votes. Adeleke won in 19 local government areas, while Oyebamiji secured 11.

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Urgently, jointly and transparently investigate reported cases of vote-buying, financial inducement, illegal election financing, voter intimidation, violence, misuse of public resources and other electoral offences in connection with the 2026 Osun State governorship election.

In a petition, SERAP urged 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 "Urgently, jointly and transparently investigate reported cases of vote-buying, financial inducement, illegal election financing, voter intimidation, violence, misuse of public resources and other electoral offences."

Furthermore, SERAP recommended inviting and facilitating independent regional and international assessments through bodies like the African Union (AU) and ECOWAS. The organization also stressed the need to trace the sources and movement of funds allegedly used for vote-buying and to preserve and examine relevant evidence, including banking records, telecommunications data, and CCTV footage. SERAP emphasized that the election's legitimacy hinges on voters freely exercising their right to political choice, questioning the outcome if voters were allegedly induced or coerced.

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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. 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.