#OsunDecides2026: TMG commends INEC, Osun voters, urges protection of electoral mandate

The Transition Monitoring Group (TMG) has praised Nigeria's Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and voters for the conduct of the recent Osun State governorship election. The democracy advocacy group urged political actors and the judiciary to safeguard the electoral mandate given by the electorate.

TMG reported that the election was largely free from major technical issues, with results predominantly uploaded in real time to the INEC Result Viewing Portal (IReV). Auwal Musa, chairman of TMG and executive director of the Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC), stated that the Osun election demonstrated the possibility of improving Nigeria's electoral process when INEC's systems function as intended.

"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," Musa said. He also stressed that Nigerians should continue to demand greater transparency and accountability from the electoral body.

However, TMG cautioned that responsibility for electoral malpractice should not solely rest on INEC. The group highlighted that practices like vote buying, voter intimidation, and thuggery are often perpetrated by politicians and their agents, calling for their accountability. TMG also urged the judiciary to protect genuine electoral mandates and ensure that post-election litigation strengthens, rather than undermines, voter confidence.

Adeleke was declared the winner of the election, defeating his closest challenger by a margin of 66,252 votes. TMG also commended Osun voters for their peaceful participation despite reports of vote buying and intimidation.

“

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.