Osun Election: UK Hails Citizen Participation, Decries Vote – Buying

The United Kingdom Government has commended the people of Osun state in South West Nigeria for their peaceful and active participation in the 15 August 2026 governorship election and congratulated Governor Ademola Adeleke on his re-election.

A statement issued by the British High Commission said the UK mission met with a range of stakeholders in advance of Election Day and deployed its own team of accredited observers. It noted that based on their observations, and consistent with the findings of credible independent observer groups with wider deployments across the state, there are several encouraging signs of a positive democratic process.

“This includes the opening of polls as scheduled in many locations, the commitment of security personnel to maintaining order, and the effective implementation of electoral procedures by INEC officials. Most of all, we were encouraged by the patience, resilience and participation demonstrated by voters throughout the day,” the statement said.

The Commission however, decried isolated incidents that generated tension before and during the electoral process and the significant remaining challenge of voter interference, including vote-buying, across party lines.

“We also note continued issues with access for people with disabilities and for elderly people, as well as overcrowding due to the speed and limited provision of BVAS devices for accreditation,” it stated.

The Commission encouraged the relevant institutions to review these issues carefully and to draw lessons – including from the recommendations of credible organisations like the Nigeria Civil Society Situation Room – that strengthen public confidence, transparency and accountability.

“As Nigeria looks ahead to the 2027 general elections, we note that off-cycle elections benefit from the availability of additional personnel and resources that may be more difficult to replicate at nationwide scale. We nevertheless hope that the experience of the Osun election will help inform further improvements that strengthen the integrity, inclusiveness and credibility of future electoral processes.

“The United Kingdom remains committed to working with Nigeria’s electoral institutions, civil society and other partners to support peaceful, transparent, inclusive and credible elections, and to strengthen the democratic institutions that underpin them,” the statement added.