EDITORIAL

 

There is something about the Osun State governorship election of 15th August 2026 that makes one pause and ask a very simple question: Is this real? Hope what we saw was not just another beautiful political performance that will disappear when the bigger battle begins. Hope the relative credibility, transparency and calmness reported during the election can become the new face of Nigerian elections? And, most importantly, can we begin to hope that the 2027 presidential election will be different? The question is necessary because Nigerians have been disappointed too many times.

The August 15, 2026 Osun election ended with INEC declaring Governor Ademola Adeleke of the Accord Party winner with 511,067 votes against APC’s Bola Oyebamiji, who scored 444,815 votes. More importantly, election observers said the official results were consistent with their independent verification of the ballots counted at polling units. Yiaga Africa described the election as evidence that INEC can deliver a credible electoral process when the right conditions are present. That is encouraging though! But should we celebrate too quickly? Let us remember where we are coming from.

The 2018 Osun governorship election was so close that a rerun became necessary. Gboyega Oyetola eventually defeated Ademola Adeleke by only 482 votes in the initial figures after the rerun process, making the election one of the most controversial and closely watched elections in the state’s history.

Then came the 2022 election. Adeleke defeated Oyetola by a wider margin, and INEC was praised for relatively good logistics, early arrival of personnel and the electronic transmission of results. Yet even that election was not completely free from the ugly Nigerian problem of vote buying.

Now, in 2026, we have seen another interesting chapter. Technology appears to have played a stronger role. Results were uploaded to the IReV portal, allowing citizens and observers to follow results from polling units. At one point, more than 3,200 of the 3,763 expected polling-unit results had been uploaded. This is important because elections become more credible when citizens do not have to depend only on what politicians or party agents tell them.

There were also encouraging signs from election observers. Yiaga Africa said the official results matched its independent estimates. It also commended INEC and security agencies for largely passing the test.  But here is where we must be honest. Even though the election seems perfect, it was not totally free from flaws.

Reports of vote buying, voter inducement, delays, BVAS difficulties, intimidation and isolated violence were still recorded. Yiaga Africa itself raised concerns about vote buying, while other observers reported logistical and technological challenges. So, should we call Osun governorship election a perfect election? No. Should we dismiss it as another political mirage? Also no. Perhaps the wiser position is to see Osun election as a hopeful sign, not yet a guarantee, and this is where 2027 becomes important.

The presidential election will be far bigger, more expensive and more politically sensitive than a governorship election. The number of voters, political interests, security concerns and national expectations will be much greater. What worked in Osun must therefore not merely be repeated; it must be strengthened.

INEC must understand that Nigerians are tired of hearing that elections are credible. They want to see credibility. They want their votes to count. They want results to reflect what happened at the polling units. They want technology to work. They want security agencies to protect voters, rather than intimidate them. They want political parties to compete without turning elections into warfare. Most importantly, Nigerians themselves must change.

We cannot complain about vote buying while selling our votes. We cannot demand credible leaders while allowing politicians to purchase our conscience with money, food or promises. Democracy is not only the responsibility of INEC. It is also the responsibility of the voters. So, hope it was real? Yes, we should hope.

 

But our hope must not be blind. Osun has shown that Nigeria can do better. It has shown that institutions can improve, technology can help and citizens can demand accountability. Yiaga Africa has even urged INEC to reproduce the lessons of Osun in the 2027 general elections. Therefore, let us hope, but let us also watch. Let us believe, but let us verify. Let us expect 2027 to be better, but let us refuse to become delusional. Osun may not yet be the promised land of Nigerian democracy. But perhaps, just perhaps, it is a sign that the journey there has begun.