TMG Hails INEC, Osun Voters, Warns Against Truncating People’s Mandate Ahead of 2027
The Transition Monitoring Group (TMG) has commended the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for what it described as the relatively seamless conduct of the August 15, 2026 Osun State Governorship Election, urging all stakeholders to protect the mandate freely given by voters ahead of the 2027 general elections.
TMG particularly praised INEC for the absence of major technical glitches in most polling locations and the real-time uploading of polling-unit results on the INEC Result Viewing Portal (IReV), describing the development as an encouraging demonstration of the potential of technology to improve electoral transparency.
The group, however, stressed that the gains recorded in Osun must be consolidated through sustained reforms, greater accountability and improved professionalism across the electoral process.
In a statement signed by TMG Chairman and Executive Director of the Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC), Auwal Musa Rafsanjani, the organisation also called on the judiciary to protect genuine electoral mandates and ensure that litigation does not become a means of overturning the legitimate choice of voters through technicalities, procedural manipulation or politically motivated cases.
While acknowledging the constitutional responsibility of the courts to adjudicate electoral disputes, TMG said judicial processes should strengthen rather than undermine the sanctity of the ballot.
The group also commended Osun voters for their resilience, peaceful participation and determination to exercise their democratic rights despite reports of vote buying, intimidation, harassment and other attempts to suppress voters.
INEC Deserves Credit Where It Gets Things Right
According to TMG, the Osun election provides an opportunity for Nigerians to recognise improvements in the country’s electoral process while continuing to demand transparency, accountability and professionalism from INEC.
The organisation said the relatively smooth conduct of the election and timely electronic transmission of results demonstrated that INEC, under the leadership of Professor Joash Ojo Amupitan, is capable of providing a more transparent and credible electoral process when its systems and procedures function as intended.
“INEC deserves commendation where it gets things right. The Osun experience demonstrates that the Commission is capable of conducting a transparent electoral process, particularly through the effective deployment of technology and real-time results transmission.
“At the same time, Nigerians must continue to demand improvements and hold the Commission accountable where it falls short,” TMG said.
The group cautioned against attributing every electoral malpractice to INEC, arguing that many violations, including vote buying, intimidation, thuggery and voter suppression, are driven primarily by political actors and their supporters.
It therefore called for political actors found engaging in electoral offences to be held accountable rather than shifting responsibility entirely to the electoral commission.
Osun, Other States Offer Hope for Democracy
TMG said the Osun election, alongside recent governorship elections in Anambra, Ondo, Edo and Ekiti states, provides encouraging evidence that peaceful elections are possible and that democracy can prevail when electoral processes are credible and voters’ choices are respected.
The organisation noted that the absence of significant post-election violence in the states should help strengthen public confidence in democratic processes.
It urged candidates and political parties to demonstrate political maturity by accepting electoral outcomes, while encouraging those with legitimate grievances to pursue redress through established legal and electoral mechanisms.
TMG particularly praised Osun voters for resisting attempts in some locations to influence or suppress their choices through money, intimidation and other unlawful practices.
It warned politicians who believe that financial inducement, thuggery or voter suppression can permanently defeat the will of the people that such tactics should no longer be regarded as an acceptable path to political power.
Call for New Political Culture Ahead of 2027
Looking ahead to the 2027 General Elections, TMG called on political parties to move away from politics driven by violence, vote buying, religious and ethnic mobilisation and empty political slogans.
Instead, the group urged parties and candidates to compete based on character, competence, credible programmes, track records and their capacity to address the challenges confronting Nigerians.
TMG also urged Nigerians to take greater responsibility for the quality of leadership they elect by obtaining and safeguarding their Permanent Voter Cards, ensuring prompt accreditation at polling units and turning out to vote without selling their votes.
The organisation cautioned citizens against choosing candidates solely on the basis of religion, ethnicity, region, party loyalty or political slogans.
It urged voters to critically examine the records, teams, programmes and policy priorities of candidates, particularly their commitment to restoring peace and security, improving living conditions, fighting corruption, protecting human rights and strengthening democratic institutions.
“Democracy is ultimately strengthened by informed and courageous voters. Nigerians must not sell their votes and must not allow religion, ethnicity, region or party loyalty to replace the responsibility of evaluating candidates on their character, competence, track record and credible plans for the country,” TMG said.
INEC, Security Agencies Urged to Prepare for 2027
The group urged INEC to build on the gains recorded in Osun by further strengthening election technology, logistics, voter accreditation, results transmission and public communication ahead of the 2027 elections.
It also called on security agencies, anti-corruption bodies and other relevant law-enforcement institutions to intensify efforts against vote buying, intimidation, thuggery and other electoral offences.
TMG stressed that credible elections require more than an effective electoral commission, noting that responsible political actors, professional security agencies and informed voters are equally critical to the success of Nigeria’s democratic process.
The organisation reaffirmed its commitment to monitoring Nigeria’s electoral processes and promoting credible, peaceful, transparent and accountable elections.
It urged Nigerians to celebrate genuine progress while remaining vigilant and demanding continuous improvement in the country’s electoral system.
“The Osun experience should strengthen Nigerians’ confidence that credible elections are possible. We must give credit where it is due, demand improvement where necessary and, most importantly, protect the power of the ballot by ensuring that every vote counts and every mandate freely given by the people is respected,” TMG said.