18/08/2026
FINAL STATEMENT BY SITUATION ROOM ON THE OSUN STATE GOVERNORSHIP ELECTION - Issued: 2:00pm - Monday, 17th August 2026
INTRODUCTION
The Nigeria Civil Society Situation Room (Situation Room), a platform of Civil Society Organisations working to support credible, transparent, and inclusive elections in Nigeria, deployed observers across the 30 Local Government Areas of Osun State to observe the Governorship Election held on Saturday, 15th August 2026.
OBSERVATION METHODOLOGY
Situation Room's observation of the 2026 Osun State Governorship Election combined the deployment of accredited election observers to polling units and the use of citizen observers reporting through the Situation Room Election Accountability Tracker (SEAT) mobile and web application. In addition, the Situation Room received reports from its partner networks who deployed observers –CLEEN Foundation, Centre for Democracy and Development (CDD) and Kimpact Development Initiative (KDI). The Situation Room partners deployed over 300 accredited observers.
In addition to this Statement, Situation Room had issued a Preliminary Statement and an Interim Statement based on reports received from accredited observers and verified citizen observers through the SEAT App. Situation Room makes the following observations:
General Assessment
Situation Room commends the people of Osun State for their participation in the 15 August 2026 Governorship Election and, in particular, the largely peaceful conduct of voters throughout the electoral process. In places where voting queues were still populated at 2:30pm which was the end of voting, many voters stayed back and cast their votes. Voters were able to exercise their franchise without widespread disruption, while election officials and security agencies discharged their responsibilities in accordance with established procedures.
Election Administration and Turnout - Reports received from accredited observers and citizen observers through the SEAT App indicated that election officials and materials arrived on time in a majority of polling units observed between 7:00am and 9:30am and commenced voting in 87% of the polling units observed. However, delays in the commencement of voting were reported in some locations due to late deployment of officials and logistical challenges. The circumstances surrounding the late addition of the SDP candidate to the Osun State Governorship ballotfollowing a Federal High Court judgment of 22nd July 2026 made the Commission subsequently reproduce ballot papers and result sheets, with the late production reportedly delaying the arrival distribution of sensitive materials.
Election officials generally followed established procedures for accreditation and voting, contributing to an orderly process in majority of polling units observed. Voters assembled early and there was steady participation throughout the electoral process. According to figures announced by INEC, out of the total of 2,339,233 registered voters in the State, 1,906,390 PVCs, representing 81.50 per cent were collected. Final figures of total votes cast is 1,005,800 representing a commendable voter turnout of approximately 43.2per cent.
Functionality of Election Technology
There were reports of technical difficulties involving Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) and other aspects of the accreditation process. BVAS deployment resulted in prolonged waiting times and congestion at polling units with large, registered voters where only one BVAS device was reportedly available. While technology remains an important instrument for improving electoral integrity, technical failures can undermine confidence when they delay accreditation or create uncertainty about the validity of the process.
Some incidents of BVAS malfunction or delays were recorded across several LGAs as follows:
Ila LGA, Ward 11, Iperin, PU Omotosho: BVAS was reportedly not recognising elderly voters.
Irepodun LGA, Ward 6, PU 17: Fingerprint authentication was not working, requiring INEC officials to use facial verification. Similar BVAS/facial verification challenges were observed at three polling units visited.
Ayedaade LGA, Lagere/Amola Ward, PU 001: BVAS was reportedly very slow and had difficulty recognising the faces of some older voters.
Irewole LGA, Ward 9, PU 7, Country Lodge: BVAS was reported to be very slow, with difficulty capturing the faces of both older and younger voters.
The reports suggest that the challenges were particularly affecting facial recognition of elderly voters and the speed of accreditation.
Situation Room further notes that the upload of polling unit results to the INEC Result Viewing Portal (IReV) progressed significantly from about 3:49pm when the first upload was observed. 98.43 percent of results have been uploaded on the IReV as at 16th August 2026.
Security Environment
The Situation Room commends the security agencies for maintaining a generally peaceful environment during the elections especially as the electoral environment preceding the Election Day was highly tensed. While security personnel were visible at all polling units and election facilities observed, there were reports of isolated incidents of harassment, thuggery and votes buying.
Vote Buying and Electoral Inducement
The Situation Room remains concerned about reports of vote trading and voter inducement during the election across political parties. Vote buying represents a direct assault on the principle of free choice and undermines the democratic value of elections.
Isekan LGA, Alapomu 1, Odo-Osun Health Office, PU 006: Party agents reportedly called voters to a corner after voting and ticked their names on a voters' list.
Irepodun LGA, Ward 2, PU 7: Vote buying was reported, with suspicion of vote selling as voters reportedly wrote their names with certain party agents after casting their votes.
Ife East LGA, Modakeke 1, Ward 08, PU at Community Grammar School, Toro Road: Vote trading across party lines was reported. After voting, voters reportedly displayed a sign indicating their preferred party, after which party agents recorded their names and phone numbers and provided voters with a tag.
Sharing of Jollof Rice and drinks in PU008, Ward 6 Isokan LGA which cause disorderliness.
Compliance with Electoral Procedures
Election officials largely adhered to prescribed voting procedures in observed polling units. Polling officials demonstrated familiarity with election guidelines, and voting procedures except in a few cases. Ahead of the election, INEC announced that voters seeking replacement PVCs could download their replacement cards, with the download window which closed on 9th August 2026, six days before the election. Situation Room notes that this was used in the Osun State Governorship election.
Inclusion and Accessibility
Situation Room observed a positive side to its accessibility observation; there were bold posters present for deaf voters in most polling units observed except in a few places.
Concerns around Inclusivity include:
Polling Units located in inaccessible places with gutters and staircases;
Limited availability of disability-inclusive resources in many polling units.
General Key Concerns
Situation Room notes with concern reports of:
Delayed congestion and some difficulties reported at some polling units with large numbers of registered voters where inadequate BVAS deployment resulted in prolonged waiting times;
Alleged incidents of voter inducement in many polling locations, although this time more discreet;
Delays in the opening of polls in certain areas owing to late arrival and distribution of materials caused by the reproduction of ballot papers;
Isolated issues of inadequate provision of chairs and tables for poll officials;
Unavailability of Form EC40H, which is used to capture information on voters with disabilities.
Looking Ahead
The Osun Governorship Election provides important lessons for Nigeria's preparation for the 2027 General Elections. The election demonstrates that technology can strengthen electoral transparency, but technology alone cannot guarantee credible elections. Electoral integrity requires the combined effectiveness of INEC, political parties, security agencies, the judiciary, citizens, observers and the media.
The Osun experience exposes a systemic risk: late judicial determinations affecting candidates can disrupt ballot production, logistics, voter education and the overall electoral timetable. INEC, political parties, the judiciary and the National Assembly should review the incident and ensure expeditious determination of electoral disputes.
Situation Room recommends that:
1. Pre-Election matters should be handled within the constitutional and statutory timelines while ensuring adequate opportunity for parties to present and challenge evidence.
2. Security agencies need to continue to strengthen mechanisms for preventing electoral offences, especially vote buying, intimidation and all forms of violence. The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) should work with other security agencies to strengthen mechanisms for detecting, investigating and prosecuting electoral offences relating to vote buying.
3. Political parties should deepen internal democratic practices and promote issue-based campaigns.
4. INEC should conduct a comprehensive post-election audit of recent off-cycle elections on key parts of the electoral process in order to strengthen its processes and increase public confidence ahead of the 2027 general elections including
· logistics and deployment of personnel and materials;
· polling unit opening times;
· BVAS performance and accreditation challenges;
· electronic transmission and publication of results;
· security conduct and reported incidents;
· accessibility of polling units; and complaints received and actions taken in response.
The review should not be treated as an internal administrative exercise. INEC should engage political parties, civil society organisations, election observers, the media and other stakeholders in a transparent post-election learning process.
Conclusion
The Situation Room commends the people of Osun State for turning out to exercise their democratic rights and for the largely peaceful manner in which the election was conducted.
We also commend all the candidates and urge them and their supporters to accept the outcome peacefully while exercising their constitutional right to seek legal redress where they believe violations occurred.
The Situation Room calls on the Governor-elect, political parties and all citizens to make the post-election period an opportunity to deepen democratic accountability, strengthen institutions and promote inclusive governance in Osun State.
As Nigeria moves towards the 2027 General Elections, the Situation Room urges all stakeholders to build on the positive lessons of Osun State while urgently addressing the weaknesses identified. Nigeria's democracy must move from elections that are merely conducted to elections that are demonstrably credible, transparent, accountable and trusted by citizens.
SIGNED:
Y.Z Ya’u
Convener, Nigeria Civil Society Situation Room
Mma Odi
Co-Convener, Nigeria Civil Society Situation Room
Celestine Odo
Co-Convener, Nigeria Civil Society Situation Room
