UK Commends Osun Election, Urges Nigeria to Apply Lessons to 2027 Poll
The UK has praised Nigeria’s Osun governorship election while flagging vote-buying, BVAS delays and accessibility gaps ahead of the 2027 elections.
The British High Commission has commended the conduct of the August 15 Osun governorship election and congratulated Governor Ademola Adeleke on his re-election, while flagging concerns it said Nigeria should address before the 2027 general elections.
In a statement issued on Monday, the High Commission said it met with a range of stakeholders ahead of election day and deployed its own team of accredited observers.
“Based on their observations, and consistent with the findings of credible independent observer groups with wider deployments across the state, we welcome several encouraging signs of a positive democratic process,” the statement read.
The commission said polls opened as scheduled in many locations, security personnel were committed to maintaining order, and officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) effectively implemented electoral procedures. It added that it was encouraged by “the patience, resilience and participation demonstrated by voters throughout the day.”
Concerns Raised
Despite the praise, the High Commission said it noted reports of isolated incidents that generated tension before and during the election, including voter interference and vote-buying across party lines, according to Tribune Online and Vanguard. It also cited limited access for people with disabilities and elderly voters, as well as overcrowding caused by the slow and limited deployment of Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) devices for accreditation, according to ThisDay.
The commission urged relevant institutions to carefully review these issues and draw lessons to strengthen public confidence, transparency and accountability, including recommendations made by civil society groups such as the Nigeria Civil Society Situation Room.
Looking Ahead to 2027
On the road to the 2027 general elections, the High Commission cautioned that off-cycle elections such as Osun’s benefit from additional personnel and resources that may be harder to replicate at nationwide scale, according to ThisDay. “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 statement read.
The commission said the UK 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 underpinning them.
Other Reactions
The UK’s statement came as the Accord Party demanded the release of its leaders, candidates, members and supporters it said had been arrested and detained in Osun, Abuja and Nasarawa states during the election period, The Sun reported. Accord National Chairman Maxwell Ngbudem said continued detention of the party’s members amounted to a rights violation and called on the Inspector-General of Police to act, while describing Adeleke’s victory as a sign of Osun voters’ determination to protect their votes.
