The United Kingdom has praised the people of Osun State for maintaining peace during the August 15, 2026 governorship election and congratulated Governor Ademola Adeleke on his re election.
In a statement issued after the poll, the British High Commission said its accredited observers monitored the election at different locations across the state and identified several areas where the exercise was conducted effectively.
The observers noted that polling units opened on time in many areas and commended security personnel for their conduct. They also praised officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission for carrying out their duties and following established electoral procedures.
Despite the generally peaceful atmosphere, the British mission identified several concerns that it said should not be overlooked.
According to the statement, there were isolated cases of tension before the election, while voter interference remained a concern. The observers also reported widespread allegations and incidents of vote buying involving supporters of different political parties.
The mission further raised concerns about the difficulties faced by elderly voters and persons living with disabilities in accessing polling facilities. It also observed frustration and overcrowding in some locations due to shortages and slow performance of the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System devices.
The UK urged INEC and other relevant electoral institutions to study the concerns raised by independent observers and implement recommendations aimed at improving future elections.
It said addressing these challenges would be important for strengthening public confidence, transparency and accountability within Nigeria’s electoral system ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The British High Commission also cautioned that the resources and security arrangements available for an off cycle governorship election are often easier to concentrate than those required for a nationwide election.
It therefore encouraged Nigerian election managers to draw useful lessons from the Osun exercise and apply them to preparations for the 2027 polls.
The UK government reaffirmed its willingness to continue working with Nigerian institutions, civil society organisations and other stakeholders to promote stronger democratic institutions, greater inclusion and credible elections across the country.
