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 jointly 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 scrutiny of the election by regional and international bodies, including 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 said the credibility of the election depended ultimately on whether voters were able to exercise their rights freely and without coercion.
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“Where voters are allegedly induced with money or other benefits, threatened with violence, intimidated, obstructed or otherwise coerced, serious questions arise as to whether the Osun election reflected the free and genuine will of the electorate,” SERAP said.
The organisation called on INEC, EFCC and ICPC to trace the sources and movement of funds allegedly used for vote buying and other unlawful electoral activities, while identifying individuals or organisations that may have provided, authorised, distributed or facilitated such funds.
It also urged the agencies to preserve and examine relevant banking and mobile money records, telecommunications data, CCTV and video footage, polling unit records and other documentary and digital evidence.
SERAP further called for the investigation and prosecution, where appropriate, of persons reasonably suspected of electoral, corruption or other criminal offences, including those who may have financed or facilitated the alleged violations.
SERAP cited preliminary findings attributed to the EU Support to Democratic Governance in Nigeria Election Observation Hub, which reportedly documented 323 electoral offences and irregularities across 726 polling units observed as of noon on election day.
According to the organisation, the reported incidents included 103 cases of vote trading, 28 cases involving alleged inducement of polling and security officials, 31 cases of voter obstruction, 38 instances of campaigning at polling units, 14 cases of voter impersonation and 12 cases of multiple voting.
The observers also reportedly recorded seven cases of election official misconduct and 85 incidents involving the exposure of ballot papers.
SERAP said 38 security incidents were also recorded, including reported cases of thuggery, attacks on electoral officials and voter intimidation.
The organisation also referred to reports by the Nigeria Civil Society Situation Room alleging vote buying and other forms of inducement at some polling units, including the distribution of jollof rice and drinks in Isokan Local Government Area.
According to SERAP, the incident allegedly resulted in significant disorder, while the Situation Room also 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 Nigerian Constitution and Nigeria’s obligations under international human rights instruments.
It specifically cited provisions of the Electoral Act dealing with bribery, undue influence, violence and political financing, as well as provisions allowing election results to be challenged where corrupt practices or substantial non compliance may have affected the outcome.
Beyond domestic investigations, SERAP urged the Nigerian authorities to facilitate scrutiny by regional and international institutions.
The organisation argued that such scrutiny would provide complementary independent assessment, strengthen transparency and accountability, and help determine the broader implications of alleged electoral violations for Nigeria’s democratic and human rights obligations.
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It also urged the three agencies to make their findings public and, where lawful and appropriate, ensure that relevant evidence is made available to election tribunals and other competent accountability institutions.
SERAP said the measures were necessary not only to establish accountability for alleged violations during the Osun election but also to deter future electoral corruption and violence ahead of the 2027 general elections.
It urged the authorities to investigate compliance with statutory limits on campaign contributions and expenditure, as well as disclosure requirements relating to political financing.
SERAP’s demands include an immediate joint investigation into alleged vote buying, inducement, illegal election financing, voter intimidation, violence and misuse of public resources.
It also called for the investigation of alleged illicit financial flows, prosecution of suspects where sufficient evidence exists, publication of investigation findings and the preservation of evidence that could be relevant to ongoing or future electoral litigation.
The organisation further urged the authorities to facilitate scrutiny by ECOWAS, the AU, the African Commission and relevant UN human rights mechanisms.
SERAP said these steps would help strengthen public confidence in INEC and other institutions and safeguard the credibility of Nigeria’s electoral process.
“We would be grateful for information on the steps being taken in response to this petition,” Oluwadare said.
