YIAGA Africa has commended the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and security agencies for their conduct during the Osun State governorship election, while raising concerns over widespread vote buying and voter inducement.
The Chairman of the YIAGA Africa Osun Election Observation Mission, Dr Asmau Maikudi, gave the assessment on Sunday in Osogbo while presenting the organisation’s Process and Verification Statement on the election.
Maikudi said YIAGA Africa had regarded the election as an important test of electoral preparedness, security neutrality and public confidence, particularly because it was the final major governorship election before the 2027 general elections.
According to her, the conduct of INEC and security agencies showed that both institutions largely met the expectations placed on them.
She noted that the election also provided an early test of the Electoral Act 2026 and the new framework for election administration and results management.
YIAGA Africa deployed 300 observers and 32 mobile observers across the 30 local government areas of the state, as well as 30 observers to monitor results collation.
Maikudi identified logistics as one of INEC’s major areas of improvement, despite the last-minute court-ordered inclusion of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), which forced the commission to reprint ballot papers and result sheets shortly before election day.
She said INEC nevertheless succeeded in deploying election officials and materials to most polling units on schedule.
“By 8:30 a.m., 48 per cent of polling units had commenced accreditation and voting, with the figure increasing to 96 per cent by 9:30 a.m.,” she said.
She explained that the figures represented an improvement compared with the 2022 Osun governorship election, when accreditation and voting had commenced in 41 per cent of polling units by 8:30 a.m. and 96 per cent by 9:30 a.m.
On the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS), Maikudi said the technology functioned properly in 80 per cent of polling units monitored, while technical problems were recorded in 20 per cent. She added that the challenges were eventually resolved.
She further stated that the official results released by INEC fell within YIAGA Africa’s Watching the Vote (WTV) estimated range, indicating that the declared results were consistent with the ballots counted at polling units.
However, the organisation expressed concern over reports of widespread vote buying and voter inducement, warning that such practices could undermine the ability of voters to freely exercise their choices.
On security, Maikudi said personnel generally acted with restraint and professionalism despite concerns raised during the campaign over violence, inflammatory statements and the neutrality of security agencies.
She said the election demonstrated that strong security deployment could be achieved without excessive interference in the voting process.
Maikudi urged security agencies to maintain the same standard in future elections, stressing that neutrality must remain consistent regardless of the political party in control at the state or federal level.
She said the Osun election showed that INEC could deliver effectively, comply with the Electoral Act 2026 and ensure transparent results transmission when adequately resourced and closely observed.
YIAGA Africa also praised Osun voters for their resilience and participation in the democratic process, urging them to continue holding elected officials and political parties accountable for their campaign promises beyond election day.
READ ALSO:
- Access Bank Moves to Recover ₦1.34bn Stolen by Hackers From Customer Accounts
- YIAGA Africa: INEC Passed Logistics Test, But Vote Buying Marred Osun Election
- Kebbi Police Arrest 19-Year-Old Woman Over Alleged Newborn Theft
- Adeleke Withdraws EFCC Suit, Says Tinubu Has Called To Resolve Account Freeze Row
- Saka Defends Funke Akindele Over Strict Behaviour On Set
