The British High Commission in Nigeria has urged Nigerian electoral stakeholders to draw operational and technological lessons from the Osun State governorship election ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The commission commended the people of Osun State for their peaceful participation in the August 15 election and congratulated Governor Ademola Adeleke on his re-election on the Accord Party platform.
In a statement issued Monday, the High Commission said it deployed accredited observers to the poll after engaging with a range of stakeholders beforehand, and that its findings were broadly consistent with those of credible independent observer groups with wider deployments across the state.
It said polling began as scheduled in many locations, security personnel maintained order, and Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) officials effectively implemented electoral procedures, while also commending voters for their patience and resilience throughout election day.
Commission Flags Vote-Buying, BVAS Shortages And Access Barriers
Despite the positive assessment, the High Commission raised concerns over persistent vote-buying across party lines and reports of voter interference, alongside isolated incidents that generated tension before and during the process.
“We also note continued issues with access for people with disabilities and for elderly people, as well as overcrowding due to the speed and limited provision of BVAS devices for accreditation,” the commission said.
It also pointed to issues with the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) – the biometric device INEC uses to accredit voters and also to upload results from polling units.
It urged relevant institutions to review the issues carefully and draw lessons, including from recommendations by credible civil society organisations such as the Nigeria Civil Society Situation Room, an election-monitoring coalition of Nigerian civil society groups, saying such measures would strengthen public confidence, transparency and accountability in the electoral process.
UK Warns 2027 Nationwide Vote Will Be Harder To Replicate
Looking ahead to the 2027 general elections, the High Commission noted that off-cycle elections like Osun’s benefit from additional personnel and resources concentrated in a single state, advantages that may be more difficult to replicate during a nationwide vote spanning all 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
It nevertheless expressed hope that lessons from the Osun election would inform further improvements to strengthen the integrity, inclusiveness and credibility of future polls.
The commission’s assessment adds to a body of independent observer reports on the election, coming days after INEC declared Adeleke winner with 511,067 votes against 444,815 for APC’s Bola Oyebamiji, a result Adeleke has described as a victory for democracy and one he says reinforces his backing for President Bola Tinubu's 2027 re-election bid.
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