TMG commends INEC, Osun voters, calls for protection of people’s mandate ahead of 2027

By KEMI KASUMU

TMG acknowledged the constitutional responsibility of the courts to adjudicate electoral disputes but cautioned against the use of technicalities, procedural manipulation or politically motivated litigation to overturn legitimate electoral outcomes.

The Transition Monitoring Group (TMG) has commended the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for what it described as the relatively seamless conduct of the August 15, 2026 Osun State governorship election, particularly 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).

The civil society coalition also commended Osun voters for their peaceful participation and determination to exercise their democratic rights despite reports of vote buying, intimidation, harassment and other attempts to influence or suppress voters.

In a statement signed by TMG Chairman and Executive Director of the Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC), Auwal Musa Rafsanjani, the group urged the judiciary to protect genuine mandates freely given by the electorate and ensure that electoral litigation does not undermine the will of voters.

TMG acknowledged the constitutional responsibility of the courts to adjudicate electoral disputes but cautioned against the use of technicalities, procedural manipulation or politically motivated litigation to overturn legitimate electoral outcomes.

According to the group, the Osun election provides an opportunity for Nigerians to recognise improvements in the electoral process while continuing to demand greater transparency, accountability and professionalism from INEC.

TMG said the relatively smooth conduct of the election and timely electronic transmission of results demonstrated that INEC, under the leadership of Professor Joash Ojo Amupitan, is capable of delivering a more transparent and credible electoral process when its systems and procedures 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. At the same time, Nigerians must continue to demand improvements and hold the Commission accountable where it falls short,” the group said.

TMG, however, stressed that INEC should not automatically be blamed for every electoral malpractice, particularly where violations are allegedly perpetrated by political actors and their supporters.

It identified vote buying, voter intimidation, thuggery and other forms of electoral manipulation as practices largely driven by politicians and their agents, urging relevant authorities to hold perpetrators accountable.

The group said the Osun election, alongside recent governorship elections in Anambra, Ondo, Edo and Ekiti states, provides encouraging evidence that peaceful elections are possible when electoral processes are credible and the choices of voters are respected.

It said the absence of significant post-election violence in the states should strengthen public confidence in democracy and encourage political actors to accept electoral outcomes while pursuing genuine grievances through lawful channels.

TMG particularly praised Osun voters for their resilience and determination to make their votes count despite reported attempts in some areas to influence their choices through money, intimidation and other unlawful practices.

It warned politicians who believe that money, thuggery or voter suppression can permanently defeat the will of the people that such practices should not be allowed to determine Nigeria’s democratic future.

The group urged all candidates and political parties that participated in the Osun election to demonstrate political maturity by accepting the outcome and respecting the mandate expressed by voters. It also encouraged those with legitimate grievances to seek redress through established legal and electoral mechanisms.

Looking ahead to the 2027 general elections, TMG called on political parties to move away from politics driven by violence, vote buying, religious and ethnic mobilisation and empty slogans.

Instead, parties should compete on the basis of character, competence, credible programmes, track records and their capacity to address the challenges facing Nigerians, it said.

TMG also urged Nigerians to take greater responsibility for the quality of leadership they elect by obtaining and safeguarding their Permanent Voter Cards, participating actively in the electoral process and refusing to sell their votes.

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, teams, programmes and policy priorities of candidates, particularly their positions on security, living standards, corruption, human rights and the strengthening of democratic institutions.

“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.

The group further urged INEC to build on the gains recorded in Osun by strengthening election technology, logistics, voter accreditation, results transmission and public communication ahead of 2027.

It also called on security agencies, anti-corruption bodies and other relevant institutions to intensify the enforcement of laws against vote buying, intimidation, thuggery and other electoral offences.

According to TMG, credible elections require more than an effective electoral commission, stressing that responsible political actors, professional security agencies and informed voters are equally essential.

The group reaffirmed its commitment to monitoring Nigeria’s electoral processes and promoting credible, peaceful, transparent and accountable elections.

“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.