Osun election: SERAP urges INEC to act over rising political violence

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The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has urged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to urgently identify, document and publicly report growing incidents of political violence, threats and intimidation ahead of Saturday’s governorship election in Osun State.

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SERAP also called on INEC to take preventive measures to protect voters and candidates and ensure that the election is conducted in a peaceful and secure atmosphere.

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In a statement, the organisation 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 and transparent investigation and prosecution.

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SERAP said victims of political violence and their families must be provided access to justice and effective remedies.

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The organisation said there had been reports of 56 politically related violent incidents and 14 fatalities in Osun over the past 12 months, with 36 incidents recorded in May and June alone.

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According to SERAP, reported incidents include shootings, killings, physical attacks, intimidation, destruction of property and harassment.

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It said INEC had recognised political violence in Osun as a serious electoral-security concern and urged the commission to strengthen threat assessment, monitoring and coordination with law enforcement and security agencies.

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SERAP further urged INEC to document and preserve credible evidence of serious, widespread or systematic political violence in the state and, where conduct may amount to crimes within the jurisdiction of the International Criminal Court, bring the evidence to the attention of appropriate national and international accountability mechanisms, including the ICC Prosecutor.

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The organisation cited Section 97 of the Electoral Act 2026, which prohibits threats of force or violence during political campaigns.

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It also cited Section 14(2)(c) of the 1999 Constitution, as amended, which provides for the participation of the people in their government, as well as Sections 39 and 40, which protect freedom of expression, peaceful assembly and association. Section 42 guarantees equality and non-discrimination.

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“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.

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The organisation urged INEC to ensure that security arrangements protect voters, candidates, journalists, observers and civil society organisations without political discrimination.

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SERAP called on the commission to act immediately to protect the integrity of the Osun election and safeguard every voter’s right to participate freely and safely without fear, intimidation or coercion.

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