British High Commission Commends Osun Election, Urges Improvements Ahead of 2027
The British High Commission has congratulated Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke on his re-election and commended voters, security personnel and electoral officials for their conduct during the governorship election.
In a statement issued on Monday, the commission said it had engaged with various stakeholders before the election and deployed accredited observers to monitor the exercise.
It said its observations, alongside findings from credible independent observer groups, showed several positive developments in the electoral process.
Among the areas highlighted were the opening of polling units as scheduled in many locations, the efforts of security personnel to maintain order and the implementation of electoral procedures by officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
The commission particularly praised the patience and resilience of voters who participated in the election.
However, the British High Commission also acknowledged reports of incidents that created tension before and during the election.
These included alleged voter interference, vote-buying across political parties, limited accessibility for elderly voters and persons with disabilities, as well as overcrowding linked to the speed and availability of BVAS devices for voter accreditation.
The commission urged relevant institutions to thoroughly review these issues and implement lessons that could improve transparency, accountability and public confidence in Nigeria’s electoral system.
It also pointed to the 2027 general elections, noting that off-cycle elections such as Osun benefit from additional personnel and resources that may be more difficult to provide on a nationwide scale.
The High Commission expressed hope that lessons from the Osun election would contribute to improvements that make future elections more credible, inclusive and transparent.
It reaffirmed the United Kingdom’s commitment to working with Nigeria’s electoral institutions, civil society organisations and other stakeholders to promote peaceful and credible elections and strengthen the country’s democratic institutions.
