The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project has called on the Independent National Electoral Commission, Economic and Financial Crimes Commission and Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission to jointly investigate alleged vote-buying, financial inducement, violence and other electoral offences linked to the 2026 Osun governorship election.
In a petition dated Aug. 15 and signed by SERAP Deputy Director Kolawole Oluwadare, the organization urged the three agencies to trace the sources and movement of funds allegedly used for vote-buying and identify individuals or organizations that financed, authorized, distributed or facilitated the alleged activities.
SERAP also called for the preservation and examination of banking and mobile-money records, telecommunications data, CCTV footage, polling-unit records and other documentary and digital evidence that could assist investigations.
The organization urged the agencies to investigate and, where appropriate, arrest and prosecute people reasonably suspected of electoral, corruption or other criminal offences.
SERAP said the credibility of the election result ultimately depends on whether voters were able to freely exercise their right to participate and choose their preferred candidates.
“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 organization said.
SERAP also asked the agencies to facilitate independent regional and international assessment of the election through the African Union, ECOWAS, the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights and relevant United Nations human-rights mechanisms.
The organization cited preliminary reports by the EU Support to Democratic Governance in Nigeria Election Observation Hub, which it said recorded **323 electoral offences and irregularities across 726 polling units** observed as of noon on election day.
According to SERAP, the reported incidents included 103 cases of vote trading, 28 cases involving 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 cases involving the exposure of ballot papers.
The group also cited 38 reported security incidents, including alleged thuggery, attacks on electoral officials and voter intimidation.
SERAP said the Nigeria Civil Society Situation Room separately reported cases of vote-buying and other inducements, including the alleged distribution of jollof rice and drinks at a polling unit in Isokan Local Government Area.
The Situation Room also reportedly documented the harassment of an election observer and alleged disruption by suspected thugs.
SERAP said the allegations raised concerns under provisions of the Electoral Act 2026, the Nigerian Constitution and international human-rights instruments ratified by Nigeria.
The organization specifically cited sections 125, 131 and 132 of the Electoral Act, which it said criminalize bribery, undue influence and the use or threat of violence to influence voting.
It also urged the agencies to examine compliance with political-finance provisions under sections 91 to 94 of the Electoral Act, including campaign contributions, expenditure and disclosure of funding sources.
SERAP said section 138 of the Electoral Act allows an election to be challenged on grounds including corrupt practices or non-compliance with the law, while section 139 addresses non-compliance that may substantially affect an election result.
The organization further asked the agencies to make their investigation findings public and ensure that relevant evidence is made available, where lawful and appropriate, to competent electoral tribunals and other accountability bodies.
It said the measures were necessary not only to address alleged infractions from the Osun election but also to deter electoral corruption and violence and strengthen public confidence ahead of the 2027 general elections.
SERAP said it would seek information from INEC, EFCC and ICPC on the steps being taken in response to its petition.
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