The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has urged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to urgently act against rising incidents of political violence, threats and intimidation ahead of the August 15, 2026 Osun State governorship election.
SERAP called on INEC to identify, document and publicly report credible incidents of political violence and take preventive measures to protect voters and candidates before, during and after the election.
The organisation also urged the electoral commission to promptly refer credible allegations of electoral violence and related offences to the Nigeria Police Force and other appropriate law enforcement and security agencies for thorough, impartial, independent, transparent and effective investigation and prosecution of suspected perpetrators.
SERAP said victims of political violence and their families must be provided with access to justice and effective remedies.
According to the organisation, there are reports of 56 politically related violent incidents and 14 fatalities in Osun State over the past 12 months, with 36 incidents recorded in May and June alone. The reported incidents included shootings, killings, physical attacks, intimidation, destruction of property and harassment.
SERAP further urged INEC to document and preserve credible evidence of serious, widespread or systematic political violence in the state and, where such conduct may amount to crimes within the jurisdiction of the International Criminal Court (ICC), bring the evidence to the attention of appropriate national and international accountability mechanisms, including the ICC Prosecutor.
The rights advocacy group said INEC had itself recognised political violence in Osun as a serious electoral-security concern, urging the commission to urgently strengthen threat assessment, monitoring and coordination with law enforcement and security agencies.
SERAP also drew attention to Section 97 of the Electoral Act 2026, which expressly prohibited threats of force or violence during political campaigns.
It noted that Section 14(2)(c) of the 1999 Constitution, as amended, provided for the participation of the people in government, while Sections 39 and 40 protect freedom of expression, peaceful assembly and association. Section 42, it added, guarantees equality and non-discrimination.
“No election should be conducted in an atmosphere of fear,” SERAP said, stressing that Nigerians have the right to vote for candidates of their choice.
The organisation urged INEC to ensure that security arrangements for the Osun election protect all voters, candidates, journalists, election observers and civil society organisations without political discrimination.
It also called for the protection of every Osun voter’s right to participate freely and safely in the electoral process without fear, intimidation or coercion.
SERAP warned that urgent action was necessary to prevent violence from undermining the credibility and integrity of the August 15 governorship election.
“INEC must act now to protect the integrity of the Osun governorship election,” the organisation said.
