With the Osun State governorship election scheduled for August 15, 2026, the civil society group Yiaga Africa is calling on political entities and candidates to emphasize peace and ensure a transparent, non-violent voting process.
The organization highlighted increasing unrest among both the public and election observers, noting significant concerns that potential violence could disrupt the proceedings unless preventative measures are adopted. Ezenwa Nwagwu, a member of the Yiaga Africa board, noted during a meeting with media and civil society groups that the apprehension is widespread, extending well beyond the borders of Osun State.
Nwagwu stressed that supporters, political candidates, security personnel, and the general public must represent peace throughout every stage of the election cycle. He encouraged citizens to defy those who anticipate chaos by working together to maintain order. Furthermore, he advised the Independent National Electoral Commission to ramp up voter education initiatives across all 30 local government areas.
Safiya Bichi, who leads Knowledge Management and Learning at Yiaga Africa, announced plans to station 300 stationary and 32 roving observers throughout the state. Utilizing a Sample-Based Observation methodology, these observers will monitor polling units to verify the integrity of the process and confirm that official results align with the actual votes cast. Bichi noted that their preliminary assessments have already flagged security issues that could impact the election’s stability.
