The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project has called on the Independent National Electoral Commission, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission to investigate alleged vote-buying, financial inducement, violence and other electoral offences recorded during the 2026 Osun State governorship election.
SERAP made the demand in a petition dated August 16, 2026, following the declaration of the incumbent governor, Ademola Adeleke, as the winner of Saturday’s election.
The organisation, in the petition signed by its Deputy Director, Kolawole Oluwadare, called for a joint and transparent investigation into allegations surrounding the election.
SERAP said, “Urgently, jointly and transparently investigate reported cases of vote-buying, financial inducement, illegal election financing, voter intimidation, violence, misuse of public resources and other electoral offences in connection with the 2026 Osun State governorship election.”
According to the organisation, the investigation should include tracing the sources and movement of funds allegedly used for vote-buying and identifying individuals who provided, authorised, distributed or facilitated such funds.
It also urged the agencies to preserve and examine relevant evidence, including banking and mobile-money records, telecommunications data, CCTV footage, polling-unit records and other documentary and digital materials.
The call followed reports of alleged electoral irregularities during the poll.
SERAP cited preliminary findings from the EU Support to Democratic Governance in Nigeria Election Observation Hub, which reportedly documented 323 electoral offences and irregularities across 726 polling units observed as of noon on Saturday.
The incidents allegedly included 103 cases of vote trading, 28 cases of inducement involving polling and security officials, 31 cases of voter obstruction, 38 cases of campaigning at polling units, 14 cases of voter impersonation and 12 cases of multiple voting.
The observers also reportedly recorded seven cases of election-official misconduct and 85 incidents involving the exposure of ballot papers.
On security, SERAP said 38 incidents were recorded, including alleged thuggery, attacks on electoral officials and voter intimidation. It also cited reports of the harassment of an election observer and disruption allegedly caused by thugs.
SERAP urged the agencies to examine compliance with Sections 91 to 94 of the Electoral Act 2026, particularly provisions governing campaign contributions, election expenditure and sources of campaign funds.
The organisation further called for the investigation and prosecution, where appropriate, of anyone reasonably suspected of committing or facilitating electoral or corruption-related offences.
SERAP said the outcome of the election should not prevent investigations into alleged violations.
It stated, “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 also requested independent scrutiny by regional and international bodies, including the African Union, ECOWAS, the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights and relevant United Nations human-rights mechanisms.
It said such external assessment would complement domestic accountability mechanisms and strengthen confidence in the electoral process.
SERAP added, “A joint investigation by the agencies would ensure coordinated examination of the electoral, financial and criminal dimensions of the reported electoral offences and violations.”
The group urged INEC, EFCC and ICPC to publish their findings and take appropriate legal action where credible evidence establishes corruption, inducement, coercion or violence that may have affected voters or the election outcome.
It said transparent investigations were necessary not only to address concerns arising from the Osun election but also to deter electoral corruption and violence ahead of the 2027 general elections.
