The Transition Monitoring Group (TMG) has commended the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for what it described as the largely smooth conduct of the August 15, 2026 Osun State governorship election.
In a statement issued in Kaduna, TMG highlighted the absence of major technical glitches at most polling units and the timely uploading of results on the INEC Result Viewing Portal (IReV) as notable improvements in the electoral process.
The commendation was issued by the TMG chairman and Executive Director of the Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC), Auwal Musa Rafsanjani.
While praising INEC, the group urged the judiciary to protect mandates freely given by voters and ensure that electoral litigation does not become a means of overturning the people’s choice through technicalities.
TMG also commended Osun voters for their peaceful participation and resilience despite reported cases of vote-buying, intimidation, harassment and other attempts to suppress voter turnout.
According to the group, the Osun election provides an opportunity to recognise progress in Nigeria’s electoral system while maintaining pressure on INEC to improve transparency, accountability and professionalism.
TMG said the timely electronic transmission of results demonstrated that, under the leadership of Professor Joash Ojo Amupitan, INEC could deliver a more credible electoral process when its systems function as intended.
The group stressed that INEC should not be held responsible for every electoral malpractice, arguing that issues such as vote-buying, thuggery and intimidation are largely driven by political actors and their supporters.
TMG cited recent governorship elections in Anambra, Ondo, Edo and Ekiti states as further evidence that peaceful elections are possible when electoral processes are credible and voters’ choices are respected.
It noted that the absence of significant post-election violence in the states should help strengthen public confidence in democracy and encourage political actors to accept election outcomes or seek redress through established legal channels.
The group urged all candidates and political parties that participated in the Osun election to demonstrate political maturity by accepting the results or pursuing legitimate grievances through the courts.
It also called on political parties to abandon violence, vote-buying and ethnic or religious mobilisation and instead compete based on character, competence and credible programmes.
Looking ahead to the 2027 general elections, TMG urged Nigerians to take greater responsibility for the electoral process by obtaining their Permanent Voter Cards, completing accreditation early and turning out to vote without selling their ballots.
It cautioned voters against selecting candidates solely on the basis of religion, ethnicity, region or party affiliation, urging them to examine candidates’ records, teams and policy proposals before making their choices.
TMG further urged INEC to build on the gains recorded in Osun by strengthening its technology, logistics, voter accreditation, results transmission and public communication systems ahead of 2027.
The group also called on security agencies and anti-corruption institutions to intensify efforts to tackle vote-buying, intimidation and other electoral offences.
Reaffirming its commitment to election monitoring, TMG said the Osun experience should strengthen confidence in Nigeria’s democracy and demonstrate that credible elections are achievable when institutions, political actors and citizens play their roles.
It stressed that every vote and every legitimate electoral mandate must be protected.
