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SERAP warns that rising political violence could undermine the credibility of Saturday’s Osun governorship election if urgent preventive action is not taken.
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Rights group urges INEC to document, publicly report, and promptly refer all cases of electoral violence and intimidation to security agencies for investigation and prosecution.
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Organisation cites reports of 56 politically related violent incidents and 14 deaths in the past year, saying no election should be conducted under an atmosphere of fear.
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SERAP calls for the protection of voters, candidates, journalists, observers, and civil society groups, insisting every Osun citizen must vote freely without coercion or intimidation.
August 11, (THEWILL) — The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has raised fresh concerns over the security situation in Osun State ahead of Saturday’s governorship election
It urged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to act decisively against escalating political violence, threats, and intimidation before they undermine the credibility of the poll.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, the organisation warned that the electoral commission must urgently identify, document, and publicly report all incidents of election-related violence while taking proactive measures to guarantee a peaceful atmosphere for voters and candidates ahead of the August 15 governorship election.
SERAP also called on INEC to immediately refer all credible allegations of electoral violence and related offences to the Nigeria Police Force and other appropriate law enforcement agencies for thorough, impartial, independent, transparent, and effective investigation and prosecution.
According to the organisation, swift action against perpetrators is essential to prevent further violence and restore public confidence in the electoral process.
The rights group further urged INEC to preserve credible evidence of serious, widespread, or systematic political violence in Osun State and, where such conduct could amount to crimes under international law, bring the evidence to the attention of appropriate national and international accountability mechanisms, including the Office of the Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court (ICC).
SERAP noted that available reports indicate that Osun has witnessed 56 politically related violent incidents and 14 fatalities within the past 12 months, with 36 incidents recorded between May and June alone, reflecting what it described as an alarming deterioration in the state’s political climate.
The organisation said the reported incidents include shootings, killings, physical assaults, destruction of property, harassment, and intimidation of political actors and supporters.
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It observed that INEC had itself recognised political violence in Osun as a serious electoral security challenge and urged the Commission to strengthen threat assessment, election monitoring, and operational coordination with law enforcement and security agencies before polling day.
SERAP reminded INEC and political actors that Section 97 of the Electoral Act 2026 expressly prohibits threats of force, violence, and intimidation during political campaigns.
The organisation also cited Section 14(2)(c) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), which guarantees citizens’ participation in governance, as well as Sections 39 and 40, which protect freedom of expression, peaceful assembly and association, and Section 42, which guarantees equality and freedom from discrimination.
“No election should be conducted in an atmosphere of fear. Nigerians have the right to vote for the candidates of their choice,” the organisation said.
SERAP therefore urged INEC to ensure that security arrangements for the election adequately protect all voters, political parties, candidates, journalists, election observers, and civil society organisations without political discrimination or bias.
It stressed that every eligible voter in Osun must be able to participate freely, safely, and without fear, intimidation, or coercion.
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The organisation maintained that the credibility of Saturday’s governorship election would depend not only on the conduct of political actors but also on INEC’s readiness to confront electoral violence through timely intervention, effective monitoring, and strict enforcement of the law.
The August 15 governorship election is expected to be one of Nigeria’s most closely watched off-cycle polls ahead of the 2027 general elections, with incumbent Governor Ademola Adeleke of the Accord Party seeking a second term against the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate, Asiwaju Munirudeen Bola Oyebamiji (AMBO), African Democratic Congress (ADC) candidate, Dr Najeem Salam, and 11 other candidates.
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