Ahead of the Osun State governorship election on August 15, 2026, the Independent National Electoral Commission has requested that members of the press dedicate significant resources to exposing vote buying. During a media forum in Osogbo, Malam Mohammed Kudu Haruna, chairman of the commission’s information committee, emphasized that this practice undermines the integrity of the democratic process.
Speaking through the Osun Resident Electoral Commissioner, Mrs. Oluwatoyin Babalola, Haruna highlighted that vote buying was a major concern during the recent Ekiti election, where politicians used cash and vouchers to influence voters. He encouraged journalists to document these illegal activities with specific details—such as names, locations, and monetary amounts—to assist law enforcement agencies including the EFCC and the police in prosecuting offenders.
The commission referenced Section 22 of the 2026 Electoral Act, which mandates severe penalties for vote trading, including fines of at least N5 million, prison sentences of up to two years, and a decade-long prohibition from seeking public office. Beyond enforcement, INEC confirmed that preparations for the Osun poll are well underway, with 14 parties participating and plans to utilize the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System and the Result Viewing Portal across all 30 local government areas.
Despite these technical readiness efforts, the commission expressed worry regarding low voter turnout. Mrs. Victoria Eta-Messi, represented by Mr. Wilfred Ifogah, noted that the forum aimed to foster better synergy between the commission and the media. The Osun State Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, Adeyemi Aboderin, committed to supporting these efforts, expressing hope for a successful and transparent election process.
