Osun 2026: Imole Civil Society Matters Campaign Committee Demands Neutrality From INEC, Security Agencies

-As CSOs Urge INEC To Intensify Fight Against Vote Buying

‎The Chairman of the Civil Society Matters Committee of the Imole Campaign Council, Hon. Funmiso Babarinde, has called on stakeholders to hold the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) accountable for the conduct of free, fair and credible elections ahead of the Osun governorship poll.
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‎Speaking during an interactive session organised by the committee with civil societies and the media in Osogbo on Wednesday, Babarinde urged INEC, security agencies, political actors and other stakeholders to conduct themselves in a civil and responsible manner throughout the electoral process.
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‎He said there was a need for collective vigilance at a time when the opposition was displaying what he described as acts of desperation and bravado unhealthy for the democratic process.
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‎He also called for early release of the voters’ register, timely deployment of electoral materials and strict neutrality from INEC and security agencies, stressing that professionalism was key to public confidence in the election.
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‎”Our democracy must be protected, and that responsibility begins here in Osun State, which remains the final phase of the off-cycle elections in Nigeria before the 2027 general elections. INEC must release the voters’ register to political parties on time, ensure early deployment of electoral materials, guarantee a hitch-free exercise, and remain impartial throughout the process. Similarly, the police and other security agencies must remain apolitical. They must desist from actions capable of creating tension or chaos ahead of the election,” he said.
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‎Babarinde urged the media to see itself as a messenger of peace and unity during the election, rather than a platform for discord.
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‎He added that civil society organisations, as the voice of the people, must uphold democratic values by carrying out their responsibilities without unnecessary partisanship.
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‎In his opening remarks, the vice chairman of the committee, Apesin Abiodun Adegoke, called for stronger collaboration among political actors, security agencies, electoral bodies, civil society groups and the media to ensure peaceful and transparent elections.

Meanwhile, a representative of Osun Civil Society Coalitions, Comrade Emmanuel Olowu urged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to adopt tougher measures against vote buying and strengthen electoral technology ahead of the 2026 gubernatorial election In the state.

Olowu, who decried the rate at which the vote buying is rampant in Nigerian political circle, said the credibility of August 15 gubernatorial election would depend largely on transparency, accountability, and timely reforms by the electoral commission.