INEC Urges Osun Journalists to Expose Vote Buying Ahead of August Governorship Election
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has called on media practitioners in Osun State to make vote buying a major focus of investigative reporting ahead of the August 15, 2026 governorship election, urging journalists to gather detailed evidence capable of supporting prosecution.
The charge was delivered by the National Commissioner and Chairman of the Information and Voter Education Committee (IVEC), Malam Mohammed Kudu Haruna, during a one-day Media Stakeholders’ Forum held on Tuesday in Osogbo. His address was presented by the Osun State Resident Electoral Commissioner, Mrs. Oluwatoyin Babalola.
Haruna described vote buying as one of the most disturbing developments observed during the June 20, 2026 Ekiti State governorship election, alleging that political actors and their agents offered cash and, in some instances, numbered vouchers redeemable outside polling units to influence voters while avoiding detection.
He reminded stakeholders that Section 22 of the Electoral Act 2026 prescribes a minimum fine of ₦5 million, imprisonment of up to two years, or both, for anyone convicted of vote trading, in addition to a 10-year ban from contesting public office.
The National Commissioner urged editors to dedicate resources to investigating vote buying before, during and after the election, while encouraging reporters to document names, locations, amounts involved and the methods used by perpetrators.
According to him, credible reports from journalists would support enforcement efforts involving INEC, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), the Nigeria Police Force, and the Department of State Services (DSS).
Haruna also disclosed that INEC had completed key preparations for the Osun governorship election, including the clearance of candidates from 14 political parties, the registration of 381,817 new voters during the Continuous Voter Registration exercise, and arrangements for the deployment of the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) and the INEC Result Viewing Portal (IReV) across all 30 local government areas of the state.
He noted that during the Ekiti governorship election, BVAS recorded a 96 per cent functionality rate, while IReV achieved a 98 per cent result upload rate, expressing confidence that similar performance would be recorded in Osun.
The National Commissioner also expressed concern over declining voter turnout nationwide, noting that fewer than four out of every 10 registered voters participated in the Ekiti election.
He urged media organisations to intensify voter education campaigns, encourage citizens to participate in the electoral process and educate the public on the dangers of vote buying and the importance of verifying election results through the IReV portal.
In her welcome address, Osun State Resident Electoral Commissioner, Mrs. Oluwatoyin Babalola, described the media as a critical partner in promoting credible elections through objective reporting and public enlightenment.
Also speaking, INEC’s Director of Voter Education and Publicity, Mrs. Victoria Eta-Messi, represented by Deputy Director Mr. Wilfred Ifogah, said the forum was organised to strengthen collaboration between the Commission and the media while updating journalists on preparations for the election and key provisions of the Electoral Act 2026.
In a goodwill message, the Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Osun State Council, Comrade Adeyemi Aboderin, pledged the support of journalists in combating vote buying and mobilising voters ahead of the August 15 governorship election.
The Osun governorship poll will feature candidates from 14 political parties, including the incumbent governor seeking re-election.
INEC Urges Osun Journalists to Expose Vote Buying Ahead of August Governorship Election