SERAP urges probe into vote-buying, violence in Osun election, international scrutiny

Crime Diary, News

ABUJA, Nigeria (NPA) — 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 alleged misuse of public resources during the 2026 Osun State governorship election.

SERAP also called for independent regional and international scrutiny of the reported electoral infractions, including by the African Union (AU), ECOWAS, African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights and relevant United Nations human rights mechanisms.

In a petition dated August 15, 2026, and signed by SERAP Deputy Director Kolawole Oluwadare, the organisation urged the three agencies to investigate the reported offences transparently and trace the sources and movement of funds allegedly deployed for vote-buying and other unlawful electoral activities.

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The organisation 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 that could assist investigations.

SERAP urged the agencies to investigate, arrest and, where appropriate, prosecute persons reasonably suspected of electoral, corruption or other criminal offences, including individuals who allegedly financed or facilitated the conduct.

According to SERAP, the credibility of the election result ultimately depends on whether voters were able to freely exercise their right to participate in the electoral process and make their political choices without inducement, intimidation, violence or coercion.

“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,” the organisation said.

SERAP added that where voters were allegedly induced with money or other benefits, threatened with violence, intimidated, obstructed or otherwise coerced, questions would arise over whether the election reflected the free and genuine will of the electorate.

The organisation said a joint investigation by INEC, EFCC and ICPC would allow the agencies to examine the electoral, financial and criminal dimensions of the reported offences in a coordinated manner.

It also argued that involving regional and international mechanisms would provide complementary scrutiny, strengthen transparency and accountability, and help assess the implications of the alleged violations for Nigeria’s human rights and democratic obligations.

SERAP further urged the agencies to make their findings public and, where lawful and appropriate, ensure that relevant evidence is made available to competent election tribunals and other accountability institutions.

According to preliminary reports by the EU Support to Democratic Governance in Nigeria Election Observation Hub (EU-SDGN EOH) cited by SERAP, civil society observers 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 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 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 reports by the Nigeria Civil Society Situation Room, which identified alleged cases of vote-buying and other inducements, including the distribution of jollof rice and drinks at a polling unit in Isokan Local Government Area.

According to the organisation, the incident allegedly resulted in significant disorder, while the Situation Room also reported the harassment of an election observer and alleged disruption by suspected thugs.

SERAP said the reported allegations raised concerns over possible violations of the Electoral Act 2026, the Nigerian Constitution and Nigeria’s obligations under international human rights treaties.

It cited Sections 125, 131 and 132 of the Electoral Act 2026, which it said criminalise bribery, undue influence and the use or threat of violence to influence voting.

The organisation also pointed to Sections 91 to 94 of the Act, which provide political-finance safeguards, including contribution and expenditure limits and post-election disclosure requirements.

SERAP said Section 138(1) of the Electoral Act permits an election to be challenged where it was invalidated by corrupt practices or non-compliance with the Act, while Section 139 addresses cases of non-compliance that may substantially affect an election result.

The organisation also referenced constitutional provisions and international human rights obligations relating to democratic participation and free and fair elections.

It cited Article 25 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), which protects citizens’ right to participate in public affairs and elections, as well as Article 13(1) of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights, which provides for citizens’ right to participate freely in the government of their country.

SERAP urged INEC, EFCC and ICPC to immediately commence the proposed joint investigation, trace alleged illicit financial flows, preserve relevant evidence and investigate compliance with political-finance provisions.

It also called for the publication of investigation findings and appropriate legal action where credible evidence establishes that corruption, inducement, coercion or violence materially affected voters or the election outcome.

The organisation further urged the agencies to facilitate scrutiny by ECOWAS, the AU, the African Commission and relevant UN human rights mechanisms, and make relevant evidence available to competent electoral and judicial bodies where lawful and appropriate.

SERAP said the measures were necessary not only to ensure accountability for alleged violations during the Osun election but also to deter electoral corruption and violence, strengthen public confidence in democratic institutions and safeguard the credibility of the 2027 general elections.