SERAP Urges INEC, EFCC, ICPC To Probe 323 Reported Electoral Offences In Osun Election | Sahara Reporters
It also called for the preservation and examination of banking and mobile-money records, telecommunications data, CCTV and video footage, polling-unit records and other documentary and digital evidence.
The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has urged 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, illegal election financing, voter intimidation, violence and other electoral offences during the 2026 Osun State governorship election.
In a petition dated August 15, 2026, and signed by SERAP Deputy Director Kolawole Oluwadare, the organisation also urged the agencies to facilitate independent regional and international assessment by the African Union (AU), ECOWAS, the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights and relevant UN human-rights mechanisms.
SERAP urged the agencies to “trace the sources and movement of funds allegedly deployed for vote-buying or other unlawful electoral purposes and identify those who provided, authorised, distributed, financed or facilitated the alleged conduct.”
It also called for the preservation and examination of banking and mobile-money records, telecommunications data, CCTV and video footage, polling-unit records and other documentary and digital evidence.
The organisation said: “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.”
According to SERAP, preliminary reports by the EU Support to Democratic Governance in Nigeria Election Observation Hub (EU-SDGN EOH) recorded 323 electoral offences and irregularities across 726 polling units observed as of noon on election day.
The reported infractions included 103 cases of vote trading, 28 cases of 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 exposure of ballot papers.
The observers also recorded 38 security incidents, including reported cases of thuggery, attacks on electoral officials and voter intimidation.
SERAP further cited the Nigeria Civil Society Situation Room’s reports of vote-buying and other inducements, including the distribution of Jollof rice and drinks at a polling unit in Isokan Local Government Area, as well as the harassment of an election observer and alleged disruption by thugs.
The organisation urged INEC, EFCC and ICPC to investigate, arrest and, where appropriate, prosecute persons suspected of electoral, corruption or other criminal offences, including those who financed or facilitated the alleged conduct.
It also urged the agencies to investigate compliance with political-finance provisions of the Electoral Act 2026 and make their findings public.
SERAP said: “These measures are important not only for accountability for the Osun election but also for preventing recurrence, deterring electoral corruption and violence, strengthening public confidence in INEC and other institutions, and safeguarding the integrity and credibility of the 2027 general elections.”
The organisation also asked the agencies to make relevant evidence available to competent electoral tribunals and other accountability mechanisms where lawful and appropriate.