By| Goodluck E.Adubazi, Abuja
The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) to urgently investigate reported cases of vote-buying, financial inducement, violence, voter intimidation and other alleged electoral offences during the 2026 Osun State governorship election.
SERAP also urged the three agencies to facilitate independent regional and international scrutiny of the election through the African Union (AU), ECOWAS, the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights and relevant United Nations human-rights mechanisms.
In a petition dated August 15, 2026, and signed by its Deputy Director, Kolawole Oluwadare, the organisation called for a joint investigation into the electoral, financial and criminal dimensions of alleged irregularities recorded during the poll.
SERAP further demanded that the agencies trace the sources and movement of funds allegedly used for vote-buying and other unlawful electoral activities, identify those who financed or facilitated such conduct, and preserve relevant banking, mobile-money, telecommunications, CCTV, video and polling-unit records.
The organisation also called for the investigation, arrest and prosecution, where appropriate, of persons reasonably suspected of electoral, corruption or other criminal offences.
According to SERAP, the credibility and legitimacy of the Osun election result depend largely on whether voters were able to freely exercise their right to participate and make political choices without inducement, intimidation, violence or coercion.
The organisation cited preliminary reports by the EU Support to Democratic Governance in Nigeria Election Observation Hub (EU-SDGN EOH), which reportedly documented 323 electoral offences and irregularities across 726 polling units observed as of noon on election day.
The reported infractions included 103 cases of vote trading, 28 cases of inducement of polling and security officials, 31 cases of voter obstruction, 38 cases of campaigning at polling units, 14 cases of voter impersonation, 12 cases of multiple voting, seven cases of election-official misconduct and 85 incidents involving exposure of ballot papers.
The observers also reportedly recorded 38 security incidents, including alleged cases of thuggery, attacks on electoral officials and voter intimidation.
SERAP said the Nigeria Civil Society Situation Room also reported instances of alleged vote-buying and inducement, including the distribution of jollof rice and drinks at a polling unit in Isokan Local Government Area, which allegedly resulted in significant disorder.
The group added that the Situation Room reported the harassment of an election observer and alleged disruption by thugs.
SERAP said the reported incidents raised concerns under the Electoral Act 2026, the 1999 Constitution, as amended, and Nigeria’s obligations under international human-rights treaties.
It specifically cited Sections 125, 131 and 132 of the Electoral Act 2026, which it said criminalise bribery, undue influence and the use or threat of violence to influence voting.
The organisation also urged the authorities to examine compliance with Sections 91–94 of the Electoral Act concerning campaign contributions, expenditure limits and disclosure of sources of funds.
SERAP said Section 138(1) of the Electoral Act permits an election to be challenged where it was invalidated by corrupt practices or non-compliance with the law, while Section 139 addresses non-compliance that may substantially affect an election result.
It further invoked Article 25 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and Article 13(1) of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights, which protect citizens’ rights to participate freely in government and exercise political rights.
The organisation urged INEC, EFCC and ICPC to immediately commence the joint probe, trace alleged illicit financial flows, preserve relevant evidence, investigate and prosecute suspects where evidence warrants, and publish their findings.
SERAP also called for regional and international scrutiny by ECOWAS, the AU, the African Commission and relevant UN human-rights mechanisms, as well as the release of relevant evidence to competent electoral tribunals and judicial bodies where lawful and appropriate.
According to the group, the measures would not only promote accountability for the Osun election but also help prevent electoral corruption and violence, strengthen public confidence in democratic institutions and safeguard the integrity of the 2027 general elections.
“We would be grateful for information on the steps being taken in response to this petition,” Oluwadare said in the statement issued on Sunday, August 16, 2026,
