Osun State Governorship Election Vote-Buying Investigation Launched by SERAP

• SERAP has petitioned INEC, EFCC, and ICPC to investigate alleged vote-buying and electoral offences in Osun State.
• A joint investigation by the agencies would ensure coordinated examination of the electoral, financial, and criminal dimensions of the reported violations.
• The legitimacy and credibility of the Osun State election result depend on whether voters were genuinely able to exercise their right to participation and political choice.

A joint investigation by the agencies would ensure coordinated examination of the electoral, financial, and criminal dimensions of the reported electoral offences and violations.

The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has petitioned the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), and Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) to investigate alleged vote-buying, financial inducement, violence, and other electoral offences linked to the 2026 Osun State governorship election. The petition comes on the heels of reports of irregularities during the poll, which saw Governor Ademola Adeleke of the Accord Party declared winner by the State Returning Officer. According to SERAP, a joint investigation by the agencies would ensure coordinated examination of the electoral, financial, and criminal dimensions of the reported electoral offences and violations. The organisation also urged the agencies to invite regional and international mechanisms for complementary independent scrutiny, strengthening transparency and accountability.

SERAP's petition highlights a worrying trend of electoral offences in Nigeria, particularly in the 2026 Osun State governorship election. The organisation cited preliminary reports by the EU Support to Democratic Governance in Nigeria Election Observation Hub, which recorded 323 electoral offences and irregularities across 726 polling units observed as of noon on Saturday. These incidents include 103 cases of vote trading, 28 cases of intimidation, and 192 cases of other irregularities. SERAP argues that such violations undermine the legitimacy and credibility of the election result, raising serious questions about whether voters were genuinely able to exercise their right to participation and political choice.

A joint investigation by INEC, EFCC, and ICPC would provide a comprehensive examination of the electoral offences and irregularities reported in Osun State. This collaborative effort would help identify those responsible for the alleged vote-buying, financial inducement, and other unlawful electoral activities. SERAP also urged the agencies to trace the sources and movement of funds allegedly deployed for vote-buying or other unlawful purposes, as well as preserve and examine relevant documentary and digital evidence. By doing so, the agencies can ensure that those responsible are held accountable and that the integrity of the election is upheld.

Lawyers and compliance officers should watch for potential electoral offences and the implications of a joint investigation by INEC, EFCC, and ICPC on the legitimacy of the Osun State election result.

Source: Original reporting via Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project