By Julian Osamoto
The Nigeria Civil Society Situation Room has raised fresh concerns over vote buying in the Osun governorship election, reporting cases in which voters were allegedly offered as much as ₦50,000 to influence their choices.
The group said political actors used cash and other forms of inducement to influence voters during Saturday’s election, describing the practice as a direct threat to free choice and electoral credibility.
Co-convener of the Situation Room MMA Odi, made the disclosure while briefing journalists in Abuja, on the final assessment of August 15 Osun governorship election.
She revealed that the civil society platform deployed more than 300 accredited observers across all 30 local government areas through its partner organisations, while citizen observers also submitted reports through its Election Accountability Tracker.
“The observers documented alleged vote-trading incidents in several locations;
In Isekan Local Government Area, observers reported that party agents allegedly called voters aside after they voted and ticked their names on a voters’ list”.
“Similar reports emerged in Irepodun, where voters allegedly wrote their names with party agents after casting their ballots amid suspicions of vote selling”.
“In Modakeke, Ife East Local Government Area, observers reported alleged vote trading across party lines. Voters displayed signs showing their preferred parties after voting, while party agents allegedly recorded their names and phone numbers as well as issued tags”.
Situation Room also reported the distribution of jollof rice and drinks at a polling unit in Isokan Local Government Area, which it said contributed to disorder at the location.
The group warned that vote buying undermines the principle of free choice because it turns citizens’ electoral decisions into transactions.
It urges security and law-enforcement agencies to strengthen mechanisms for detecting, investigating and prosecuting electoral offences linked to vote buying.
The Situation Room said the pattern should concern stakeholders ahead of the 2027 general election, warning that political actors could exploit weaknesses identified during off-cycle elections.
Despite the concerns, the observers described the Osun election as largely peaceful, saying voters generally participated without widespread disruption.
The group also identified delays linked to the late addition of the Social Democratic Party candidate to the ballot and technical difficulties with the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System as other weaknesses exposed by the election.
It notes that the late production of ballot papers and result sheets contributed to delays in the distribution of sensitive materials, while BVAS problems caused prolonged waiting times at some polling units.
Recommendations
The Situation Room called on the Independent National Electoral Commission INEC, to conduct a comprehensive post-election review covering logistics, BVAS performance, result transmission, security conduct, accessibility and complaints.
The group also urged political parties to strengthen internal democracy and promote issue-based campaigns, while calling on all stakeholders to address weaknesses exposed by the Osun election before the 2027 general election.
