Ebenezer Adurokiya and Micheal Chukwuebuka Reporting From Osogbo
ELECTION observation groups, including Yiaga Africa, have given a largely positive assessment of the August 15 governorship election in Osun State, stating that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and security agencies “largely passed the test”.
Asmau Maikudi, Chairperson of the Election Observation Mission, addressed the media on Sunday, commending the resilience of Osun voters and noting a commendable 43 per cent voter turnout.
The group stated that the official results declared by INEC were consistent with its own statistical analysis of the polling.
While the mission praised the electorate for staying to watch the votes counted, they raised concerns about the apparent need for citizens to act as “watchmen” over the process, questioning the underlying integrity of the electoral umpire’s procedures.
“The Osun election shows that INEC can improve its standards,” Ms Maikudi stated, advising the commission to use the lessons learned to prepare for the 2027 general elections.
The announcement follows INEC’s declaration of Governor Ademola Adeleke of the Accord Party as the winner, securing 511,067 votes against his closest rival, APC’s 444,815 votes.
The groups offered a series of recommendations to the commission ahead of the next national polls, urging it to build on the successes observed.
