Politics
SERAP demands probe into vote-buying, violence, during Osun poll
THE Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) to urgently investigate allegations of vote-buying, voter intimidation, and electoral offences recorded during the just concluded Osun State governorship election.
In a statement signed by its Deputy Director, Kolawole Oluwadare, the organisation urged security and anti-graft agencies to trace financial flows used for voter inducement and prosecute suspect offenders.
SERAP stated that the credibility of the election outcome depends on whether citizens were able to vote without financial inducement or intimidation.
“The legitimacy and credibility of the Osun State election result ultimately depend upon whether voters were genuinely able to freely exercise their right to participation and political choice,” the statement read.
The group urged the three agencies to track financial flows linked to voter inducement, preserve digital and financial evidence, and prosecute those who sponsored or carried out the alleged offences.
“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,” the statement added.
Appraising reports from civil society groups and the European Union (EU) Support to Democratic Governance in Nigeria Election Observation Hub, which recorded over 300 electoral offences and security incidents on election day, SERAP stated that taking decisive legal action was necessary to prevent recurring electoral corruption ahead of future polls.
“A joint investigation by the agencies would ensure coordinated examination of the electoral, financial and criminal dimensions of the reported electoral offences and violations,” SERAP stated.
It also asked the agencies to involve international and regional bodies, including the African Union and ECOWAS, to provide independent scrutiny alongside domestic processes.
The petition emphasised that vote-buying and financial inducements violate Sections 125, 131, and 132 of the Electoral Act 2026, as well as provisions of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) and international human rights treaties ratified by Nigeria.
Addressing journalists after the announcement of results, Pelumi Olajengbesi of the Imole Campaign Council expressed concern amidst celebrations over the re-election of Governor Ademola Adeleke.
“Despite all the intimidation, all the harassment, all the reckless use of power, he still emerged,” he said.
He stressed that while the outcome reflected a credible process, the election could not be described as entirely free and fair.
“We want to believe that this election is very credible, but we do not agree that it was free and fair,” he stated.
He added that several campaign members remained in detention following pre-election enforcement actions.
Zainab Abdulrasaq ia a reporter and a fact-checker with The ICIR. She believes that accountable citizenship starts with an accountable government, which is why she highlights injustice and everyday struggles through her reporting, one story at a time. She adores reading and can be reached via zabdulrasaq@icirnigeria.org and @blackbookishgirl on Instagram/Medium