SERAP seeks probe of Osun election offences

Following the 2026 Nigeria — Osun State governorship election, the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) petitioned the Nigeria — Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), the Nigeria — Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), and the Nigeria — Independent Corrupt Practices Commission (ICPC) to jointly investigate alleged vote-buying, financial inducement, violence, voter intimidation, and other electoral offences. SERAP cited preliminary reports from the EU Support to Democratic Governance in Nigeria Election Observation Hub, which recorded 323 electoral offences and irregularities across 726 polling units, including 103 cases of vote trading and 38 security incidents. SERAP also urged the agencies to trace illicit financial flows, preserve evidence, prosecute offenders, and invite independent scrutiny from the African Union, ECOWAS, the African Commission on Human and Peoples Rights, and United Nations mechanisms. INEC declared incumbent Governor Ademola Adeleke of the Accord Party the winner with 511,067 votes, defeating Nigeria — All Progressives Congress candidate Bola Oyebamiji (444,815 votes) and Nigeria — African Democratic Congress candidate Najeem Salaam. SERAP stressed that accountability for the Osun election is crucial for public confidence ahead of the 2027 general elections.