Ebenezer Adurokiya and Micheal Chukwuebuka Reporting From Osogbo
THE European Union-Support to Democratic Governance in Nigeria Election Observation Hub (EU-SDGN EOH) has issued its preliminary statement on the Osun State off-cycle governorship election held on Saturday, 15th August 2026, offering initial observations and guidance as vote counting and collation get under way.
In the statement, signed by the consortium of civil society organisations comprising the Centre for Media and Society (CEMESO), International Press Centre (IPC), Nigerian Women Trust Fund (NWTF), TAF Africa, The Kukah Centre (TKC), and Yiaga Africa, the Hub provided preliminary guidance to both media professionals and voters as the electoral process moves into its critical final stages.
Media Guidance Issued
The Hub called on media practitioners to refrain from announcing results until INEC makes its official declaration at the appropriate polling and collation levels, stressing that there should be no reporting of unofficial or projected figures.
Journalists were also encouraged to engage in real-time fact-checking to counter any disinformation or misinformation, particularly as the process enters the sensitive phases of vote counting and collation.
Furthermore, media houses were reminded to promptly report any attacks on personnel or denial of access to polling stations using the dedicated lines and applications provided.
Voters Urged to Act Independently
The observation mission advised voters to cast their ballots independently and resist any form of inducement. Citizens were encouraged to report instances of vote-buying immediately to INEC staff, security operatives, or accredited observers on the spot, rather than staying silent.
Observers Remain Deployed
According to the preliminary statement, the Hub’s observers remain deployed at polling units and will subsequently follow the process to collation centres, where they will continue to monitor the counting, collation and transmission of results through to declaration at Registration Area, Local Government and State Collation Centre levels.
The EU-SDGN EOH confirmed that it will issue a comprehensive Post-Election Report following the official declaration of results, which will address the overall conduct, credibility and outcome of the election.
Call for Calm and Lawful Redress
The Hub reiterated its call on all political parties and candidates to await the official outcome and to pursue any grievances exclusively through lawful and judicial channels, consistent with the Peace Accord signed on 30th July 2026.
The statement also appealed to the people of Osun State to remain calm and patient as the process moves toward its conclusion.
Election Deemed Significant Bellwether
The observation hub described the Osun State Governorship Election as a critical test of the new electoral legal framework and an important bellwether for the 2027 General Election.
The EU-SDGN EOH thanked INEC, security agencies, political parties, the media and, above all, the voters of Osun State for their engagement with the process, reaffirming its commitment to providing an accurate, evidence-based and impartial account of the election as it concludes.
