By Gabriel Ameh
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has called on journalists and media organisations in Osun State to play a more active role in exposing vote buying ahead of the August 15, 2026 Osun Governorship Election, urging reporters to produce evidence that could aid the prosecution of electoral offenders.
The call was made during a one-day Media Stakeholders’ Forum held on Tuesday in Osogbo, where the National Commissioner and Chairman of the Information and Voter Education Committee (IVEC), Mohammed Kudu Haruna, stressed that vote buying should become a top investigative priority for the media.
Haruna’s keynote address was delivered on his behalf by the Osun State Resident Electoral Commissioner, Mrs. Oluwatoyin Babalola.
He described vote buying as one of the most disturbing developments recorded during the June 20, 2026 Ekiti State Governorship Election, alleging that political actors distributed cash and, in some cases, issued numbered vouchers to voters for redemption outside polling units to avoid detection.
According to him, the Electoral Act 2026 prescribes severe penalties for vote trading, including a fine of not less than ₦5 million, imprisonment for up to two years, or both, in addition to a 10-year ban from contesting elective public office upon conviction.
Haruna urged media organisations to assign dedicated reporters to investigate electoral malpractice before, during and after the election, encouraging journalists to document names, locations, financial inducements and other details capable of supporting prosecution.
He explained that such investigations would strengthen collaboration between INEC and security agencies, including the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), the Nigeria Police Force, and the Department of State Services (DSS), in tackling electoral offences.
The National Commissioner also disclosed that INEC had completed key preparations for the Osun governorship election, including the clearance of candidates from 14 political parties, the registration of 381,817 new voters during the Continuous Voter Registration exercise, and plans to deploy the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) and the INEC Result Viewing Portal (IReV) across all 30 local government areas of the state.
He noted that during the Ekiti governorship election, BVAS recorded a 96 percent functionality rate, while IReV achieved a 98 percent result upload rate, expressing confidence that similar success would be recorded in Osun.
Haruna also expressed concern over declining voter turnout across the country, noting that fewer than four out of every 10 registered voters participated in the Ekiti governorship election.
He appealed to media organisations to intensify voter education campaigns, encourage citizens to participate in the electoral process, discourage vote buying and promote the use of IReV for result verification.
Earlier, the Resident Electoral Commissioner for Osun State, Mrs. Oluwatoyin Babalola, described the media as a critical partner in promoting credible elections through objective reporting and voter enlightenment.
Also speaking, INEC’s Director of Voter Education and Publicity, Mrs. Victoria Eta-Messi, who was represented by the Deputy Director of Information and Publicity, Mr. Wilfred Ifogah, said the stakeholders’ forum was organised to strengthen collaboration with media practitioners and update them on the Commission’s preparations for the election under the Electoral Act 2026.
In his goodwill message, the Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Osun State Council, Comrade Adeyemi Aboderin, pledged the support of journalists in combating vote buying and mobilising eligible voters ahead of the election.
The Osun State Governorship Election is scheduled to hold on August 15, 2026, with 14 political parties, including the ruling party, fielding candidates.
