The Transition Monitoring Group (TMG) has commended the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and voters in Osun State for the relatively peaceful conduct of the August 15, 2026 governorship election. In a statement signed by its Chairman and Executive Director of the Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC), Auwal Musa Rafsanjani, TMG praised the absence of major technical glitches in most polling locations and the real-time uploading of polling-unit results on the INEC Result Viewing Portal (IReV).
Call for Judiciary to Uphold Voters' Will
TMG called on the judiciary to protect mandates freely given by voters and ensure that electoral litigation does not undermine the genuine will of the electorate. While acknowledging the constitutional responsibility of the courts to adjudicate electoral disputes, the group urged the judiciary to ensure that legal processes strengthen the sanctity of the ballot rather than provide avenues for overturning legitimate electoral outcomes through technicalities, procedural manipulation or politically motivated litigation.
The group also commended Osun voters for their resilience, peaceful participation and determination to exercise their democratic rights despite reported cases of vote buying, intimidation, harassment and other attempts to suppress voters.
INEC's Capability for Transparent Elections
TMG said the Osun election demonstrated that INEC is capable of delivering a more transparent and credible electoral process when its systems and procedures function effectively. “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,” the group said.
It added that Nigerians should continue to demand improvements from the electoral commission while holding it accountable whenever it falls short of expected standards.
Accountability for Political Actors
TMG cautioned against blaming INEC for every electoral malpractice, noting that vote buying, voter intimidation, thuggery and other forms of manipulation are largely perpetrated by political actors and their supporters. According to the group, politicians and their agents involved in electoral offences must be held accountable rather than shifting responsibility entirely to the electoral commission.
TMG said the Osun election, alongside recent governorship elections in Anambra, Ondo, Edo and Ekiti States, offered encouraging evidence that peaceful elections are possible when electoral processes are credible and the will of voters is respected.
Appeal to Candidates and Political Parties
The group urged candidates and political parties that participated in the Osun election to demonstrate political maturity by accepting the outcome, while those with legitimate grievances should seek redress through established legal and electoral channels. TMG further called on political parties to move away from politics driven by violence, vote buying, religious and ethnic mobilisation and empty slogans.
It urged parties to compete based on character, competence, credible programmes, track records and their ability to address the challenges confronting Nigerians.
Voter Responsibility Ahead of 2027
Ahead of the 2027 general elections, TMG urged Nigerians to take greater responsibility for the quality of leadership they elect by safeguarding their Permanent Voter Cards, turning out to vote and rejecting vote buying. The group cautioned voters against choosing candidates solely on the basis of religion, ethnicity, region, party loyalty or political slogans.
It urged citizens to examine the records, programmes, policy priorities and competence of candidates seeking public office, particularly their commitment to security, improved living conditions, human rights, anti-corruption efforts and democratic development.
“Democracy is ultimately strengthened by informed and courageous voters. Nigerians must not sell their votes and must not allow religion, ethnicity, region or party loyalty to replace the responsibility of evaluating candidates on their character, competence, track record and credible plans for the country,” TMG said.
Recommendations for INEC and Security Agencies
The group also urged INEC to build on the gains recorded in Osun by further improving election technology, logistics, voter accreditation, results transmission and public communication ahead of 2027. Similarly, it called on security agencies, law enforcement bodies and anti-corruption institutions to intensify efforts against vote buying, intimidation, thuggery and other electoral offences.
TMG stressed that credible elections require an effective electoral commission, responsible political actors, professional security agencies and informed voters.
The group reaffirmed its commitment to monitoring Nigeria’s electoral processes and promoting credible, peaceful, transparent and accountable elections. It said the Osun experience should encourage Nigerians to recognise progress in the electoral system while remaining vigilant and demanding continuous improvement.
“The Osun experience should strengthen Nigerians’ confidence that credible elections are possible. We must give credit where it is due, demand improvement where necessary and, most importantly, protect the power of the ballot by ensuring that every vote counts and every mandate freely given by the people is respected,” TMG said.
