The United Kingdom has raised concerns over vote-buying, voter interference and challenges with the deployment of the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System during the August 15 Osun State governorship election.

The British High Commission, in a statement issued in Abuja, however, commended voters for their peaceful and active participation and congratulated Governor Ademola Adeleke on his re-election.

The commission said it deployed accredited observers and engaged with stakeholders ahead of the election, adding that its observations, alongside reports from credible domestic observer groups, identified several positive developments.

It said polling units generally opened as scheduled in many locations, while security personnel maintained order and electoral officials largely implemented established procedures effectively.

The UK also praised voters for their patience, resilience and participation throughout the exercise.

However, it identified voter interference, including vote-buying across political parties, as a major concern.

The commission also highlighted difficulties faced by persons with disabilities and elderly voters in accessing polling facilities, as well as overcrowding linked to the speed and limited availability of BVAS devices.

It urged relevant institutions to review the challenges and implement recommendations from credible observer organisations to improve public confidence, transparency and accountability in future elections.

The British High Commission said lessons from the Osun election should be applied to subsequent polls, particularly the 2027 general elections.

It noted that off-cycle elections often benefit from additional personnel and resources that may be more difficult to deploy during nationwide elections.

The UK reaffirmed its commitment to working with Nigeria’s electoral institutions, civil society organisations and other stakeholders to promote peaceful, transparent, inclusive and credible elections.

Bode George hails Adeleke’s victory

Former Deputy National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, Chief Olabode George, described Adeleke’s re-election as an affirmation of the power of the electorate.

George said the result demonstrated that political power ultimately belonged to the people and should serve as a lesson ahead of the 2027 elections.

He said incumbency and political influence could not permanently determine electoral outcomes, stressing that voters should remain free to reward or reject elected officials through the ballot.

George urged President Bola Tinubu to ensure that all qualified Nigerians were allowed to participate in the 2027 elections in accordance with the law.

He also called on Adeleke to treat his re-election as a renewed mandate to serve the people of Osun State.

NDC questions Adeleke’s reported Tinubu endorsement

The Nigeria Democratic Congress, however, criticised Adeleke’s reported pledge to support President Tinubu’s 2027 re-election bid.

The party’s National Publicity Secretary, Osa Director, described the endorsement as premature, arguing that the governor could not determine how Osun voters would cast their ballots in the presidential election.

Director nevertheless described Adeleke’s victory as a triumph of democracy and commended him for insisting on his right to contest the election.

He also praised the Independent National Electoral Commission for the conduct of the poll but urged the commission to sustain the improvements recorded during the election.

According to him, Nigerians would expect INEC to maintain the same standard during the 2027 general elections.

Accord demands release of detained members

Meanwhile, the Accord Party has demanded the immediate release of its leaders, candidates, members and supporters allegedly arrested and detained in Osun, Abuja and Nasarawa states during the election.

The party’s National Chairman, Chief Maxwell Ngbudem, made the demand in Osogbo, describing the continued detention of its members as a violation of their fundamental rights.

Ngbudem alleged that the campaign and election periods were characterised by harassment, intimidation, destruction of property, arrests, detention and killings.

He also accused security and law enforcement agencies, including the police and Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, of being used against the party, the Osun State Government and its supporters.

The Accord chairman urged the Inspector-General of Police to order the release of the detained party members, arguing that the election had ended and there was no justification for their continued detention.

APC chieftain warns Tinubu over 2027

An APC chieftain in Niger State, Jonathan Vatsa, has urged President Tinubu to change the approach of his administration and reconnect with Nigerians ahead of the 2027 presidential election.

Vatsa, a former Niger State Commissioner for Information, Culture and Tourism, said the outcome of the Osun election demonstrated that APC governors and political structures could not automatically deliver electoral victories.

He said the result should serve as a warning to the governing party, citing economic hardship, unemployment and insecurity as issues influencing voters.

Vatsa also warned that internal divisions within the APC could affect the party’s performance in 2027.

According to him, Nigerians are increasingly concerned about basic economic and security issues rather than political endorsements and party structures.

He said the people want food on their tables, jobs for their children, security in their communities and visible improvements in their daily lives.

Adeleke defeats Oyebamiji by 66,252 votes

The Independent National Electoral Commission declared Adeleke the winner of the governorship election after he polled 511,067 votes to defeat the APC candidate, Bola Oyebamiji, who scored 444,815 votes.

Adeleke won 19 of the state’s 30 local government areas, while Oyebamiji secured 11.

The victory gives Adeleke a second consecutive term as governor of Osun State, following his victory over former Governor Gboyega Oyetola in the 2022 election.

The 2026 election was closely watched by domestic and international observers, with voting procedures, logistics, security, voter participation, BVAS deployment and allegations of vote-buying among the major issues raised.

With the 2027 general elections approaching, the concerns and recommendations arising from the Osun poll are expected to inform efforts by electoral authorities and political stakeholders to strengthen Nigeria’s electoral process.