Group Urges INEC To Replicate Osun Mod In2027

Civil society group Yiaga Africa has urged the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, to build on lessons from the 2026 Osun State Governorship Election ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The organisation made the call during a press briefing at the Adolak Event Centre, Osogbo, where it presented its Process and Results Verification for Transparency, PRVT statement on the Osun election.

Yiaga Africa said the Osun poll showed that INEC could meet high operational standards and effectively implement the Electoral Act 2022 when properly funded and closely monitored.

However, the group noted that the real test will be replicating those gains across more than 176,000 polling units in 36 states during the 2027 elections.

“Sustained institutional learning, adequate resourcing, effective monitoring and stronger enforcement will be critical to consolidating the gains recorded in Osun,” the organisation said.

In its statement, Yiaga Africa urged INEC to:
– Strengthen quality assurance for sensitive election materials
– Resolve inconsistencies in voter data and standardise the rollout of downloadable Permanent Voter Cards, PVCs
– Improve the resilience and transparency of IReV, the Results Viewing Portal, to boost public confidence in electronic transmission of results
– Conduct a comprehensive technical audit of BVAS devices and publish reasons for biometric authentication failures recorded in Osun
– Enhance training and supervision of ad hoc officials to ensure consistent application of electoral procedures nationwide

The group also tasked security agencies with stepping up enforcement against vote buying and electoral violence, and reviewing deployment plans ahead of 2027.

Specifically, Yiaga Africa called on the Nigeria Police Force to publish a report on its Osun deployment, including number of arrests and prosecution plans, especially for pre-election violence.

It further urged the Police, EFCC and ICPC to extend enforcement against voter inducement beyond polling unit vicinities.

Yiaga Africa said it will release a comprehensive report with additional data and recommendations as it begins preparations for observing the 2027 general elections.

The organisation’s 2026 Osun Election Observation Mission was chaired by Dr. Asmau Maikudi, while Samson Itodo is Executive Director of Yiaga Africa.