2027 Polls: Observers Raise Concerns Over Electoral Violence, Campaign Finance in Ekiti, Osun
By Salami Abdulrahaman | Pan Afric Reporters
Election observers have raised concerns over electoral violence, campaign financing and result management in the 2026 governorship elections in Ekiti and Osun states, calling on relevant institutions to address the identified lapses ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The concerns were contained in a report presented by the Kimpact Development Initiative (KDI) on Friday in Abuja, following its observation of the electoral processes in the two states.
The report, which covered the pre-election, election and post-election periods, acknowledged some improvements in the electoral process but stressed that more needed to be done to strengthen the credibility of future elections.
According to the findings, 15 cases of electoral violence were recorded in Ekiti State, although no post-election violence was reported.
In Osun State, observers documented incidents of election-related violence, including deaths recorded before and after the election. However, no deaths were recorded on election day.
The report also raised concerns over the lack of transparency in campaign financing, urging political parties to account for their election expenditure.
It called on anti-corruption agencies, particularly the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), to strengthen monitoring of campaign spending and ensure compliance with relevant regulations.
On result management, the observers identified discrepancies in registered voter figures, cases of over-voting in some polling units, missing ballots and arithmetic errors during the collation of results.
While noting that the elections largely reflected the will of the electorate, the observers urged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to address the identified shortcomings ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The report recommended that results be announced at polling units immediately after counting, while ward-level results and reconciliations should also be uploaded to INEC’s Result Viewing Portal (IReV).
It further noted discrepancies between some polling-unit results uploaded to IReV and the final figures declared by INEC.
According to the observers, uploading ward-level results would enable citizens and election monitors to track the collation process, including adjustments and cancellations, thereby improving transparency and public confidence in the electoral system.
The report also expressed concern over the low rate of prosecution of electoral offenders, urging security agencies to ensure that those arrested for electoral offences are properly investigated and prosecuted where sufficient evidence exists.
It stressed that electoral accountability should go beyond arrests to include the successful prosecution of offenders.
Speaking at the presentation, KDI Executive Director, Bukola Idowu, said lessons from the Ekiti and Osun elections should guide efforts to strengthen Nigeria’s electoral institutions ahead of 2027.
A partner reflection on strengthening electoral institutions was delivered by Dr Matthew Abiakuro of the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) Nigeria, while Charles Aniagolu of Arise News delivered the keynote address titled, “From Evidence to Reform: What Ekiti and Osun Tell Us About the Road to 2027.”
The event attracted representatives of government institutions, security agencies, civil society organisations, political stakeholders, development partners and the media.
The observers called on INEC, security agencies, political parties and other relevant institutions to implement the report’s recommendations, stressing the need to protect voters, ensure transparency and strengthen accountability throughout the electoral process.
