Osun Guber: CSOs task INEC, police, political parties on credibility, fairness
Civil society organizations under the Coalition of Civil Society Organizations in Nigeria have called on various stakeholders, including the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), security agencies, political entities, and voters, to uphold the principles of credibility, peace, and accountability during the Osun State governorship election set for Saturday.
The coalition issued its statement during a pre-election press conference held in Osogbo on Friday, themed “2026 Osun State Governorship Election: Demanding Credibility, Peace, and Accountability.”
Engr. Uzoma Juliet Uchenna, a representative of the New Dimension Network for Peace Initiative, urged INEC Chairman Professor Joash Amupitan, SAN, to ensure that the election is conducted in a manner that is free, fair, credible, and transparent.
The coalition specifically called for the protection of all Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) machines from tampering, insisting on thorough testing and preparation of the devices before deployment. They emphasized the need for trained technical personnel to be present at polling units to address any potential issues, asserting that no voter should be disenfranchised due to equipment failure or lack of technical support.
Additionally, the coalition appealed to Inspector General of Police Olatunji Disu and the Nigeria Police Force to maintain neutrality and professionalism in their duties throughout the electoral process. They called for strict action against individuals engaging in violence, intimidation, or any form of electoral malpractice.
Political party agents were also urged to conduct themselves responsibly by observing the electoral process without causing disruption, ensuring that voters can cast their ballots freely without intimidation or inducement.
Both foreign and domestic election observers were encouraged to perform their roles with professionalism and independence and to report accurately, substantiated by photographic or video evidence where feasible.
The coalition urged Osun voters to actively participate in the election, to vote according to their convictions, and to remain at their polling units until their votes are counted and uploaded onto the INEC Result Viewing (IReV) portal, reiterating that BVAS is the sole means of voter accreditation.
“This upcoming election will be a test of Nigeria’s democratic institutions and our collective commitment to credible elections,” the coalition stated, urging INEC, the police, politicians, observers, and voters to fulfill their respective responsibilities.
“The eyes of Nigeria and the world are on Osun. Let us strive to make history for the right reasons—peace, credibility, and the expression of the people’s will,” they concluded.
