Osun Poll: Yiaga Africa Raises Alarm Over Vote-Buying, Security Threats, Deploys 332 Election Observers

Election observation group, Yiaga Africa, has expressed concern over alleged vote-buying and rising political tension ahead of the August 15, 2026 Osun State governorship election, warning that the developments could undermine the credibility and integrity of the poll if left unchecked.

Speaking at a Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) and Media Engagement held in Osogbo, a member of the Board of Yiaga Africa, Chief Ezenwa Nwagwu, described voter inducement as one of the most serious threats to the forthcoming election.

Nwagwu disclosed that the organisation had received reports alleging that prospective voters were being offered cash transfers of about ₦10,000, stressing that regardless of how such payments are presented, they amount to voter inducement capable of compromising the sanctity of the electoral process.

He also expressed concern over recurring incidents of political violence across parts of the state, urging political actors, security agencies, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), and voters to play their respective roles in ensuring a peaceful, free and credible election.

According to him, voters must reject violence and electoral malpractice, while INEC should intensify voter education to ensure citizens are adequately informed ahead of the exercise.

Also speaking, Yiaga Africa’s Head of Knowledge Management and Learning, Safiya Bichi, announced that the organisation would deploy 300 stationary observers and 32 roving observers across the 30 local government areas of Osun State.

She explained that the deployment would be carried out using Yiaga Africa’s Sample-Based Observation (SBO) methodology, with observers stationed at selected polling units to independently assess the conduct of the election and verify whether the results announced by INEC accurately reflect votes cast.

Bichi added that the organisation’s pre-election assessment had identified emerging security concerns capable of affecting the conduct of the governorship election, urging all stakeholders to work together to guarantee a peaceful and transparent electoral process.