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By Abdullahi Alhassan, Kaduna
The Transition Monitoring Group (TMG) has commended the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for the largely smooth conduct of the August 15, 2026 Osun State Governorship Election.
In a statement issued in Kaduna, TMG noted the absence of major technical glitches in most polling units and the real-time uploading of results on the INEC Result Viewing Portal (IReV) as key improvements.
The commendation was signed by TMG Chairman and Executive Director of CISLAC, Auwal Musa Rafsanjani.
While applauding INEC, the group also called on the judiciary to safeguard mandates freely given by voters and to ensure electoral litigation does not become a tool for overturning the people’s will through technicalities.
TMG equally praised the people of Osun State for their peaceful participation and resilience, despite reported cases of vote buying, intimidation, harassment and other attempts to suppress turnout.
According to the group, the Osun poll provides an opportunity for Nigerians to acknowledge progress in the electoral process while continuing to demand greater transparency, accountability and professionalism from INEC.
TMG said the timely electronic transmission of results showed that under the leadership of Professor Joash Ojo Amupitan, INEC can deliver a more credible process when its systems work as intended.
The group stressed that INEC should not be blamed for every electoral malpractice, arguing that vote buying, thuggery and intimidation are largely driven by political actors and their supporters.
TMG cited recent governorship elections in Anambra, Ondo, Edo and Ekiti as further evidence that peaceful polls are possible when processes are credible and the voters’ will is respected.
The group added that the absence of significant post-election violence in these states should boost public confidence in democracy and encourage politicians to accept outcomes or seek redress through legal channels.
It urged all candidates and parties in the Osun election to demonstrate political maturity by accepting the results and pursuing grievances through established mechanisms.
TMG also called on political parties to move away from politics of violence, vote buying, and ethnic or religious mobilization, and instead compete on character, competence and credible programmes.
Looking to the 2027 General Elections, the group urged Nigerians to take greater responsibility by obtaining their Permanent Voter Cards, getting accredited early, and turning out to vote without selling their votes.
Voters were cautioned against choosing candidates based solely on religion, ethnicity, region or party loyalty, and were advised to interrogate candidates’ records, teams and policy plans.
TMG urged INEC to build on the gains in Osun by strengthening its technology, logistics, accreditation, results transmission and public communication ahead of 2027.
The group also tasked security agencies and anti-corruption institutions to intensify the crackdown on vote buying, intimidation and other electoral offences.
Reaffirming its commitment to election monitoring, TMG said the Osun experience should strengthen confidence that credible elections are possible, and that every vote and mandate must be protected.
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