The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has pledged to improve on the conduct of the August 15 governorship election in Osun State as preparations intensify for the 2027 general election.
INEC National Commissioner and Chairman of the Information and Voter Education Committee, Mohammed Kudu Haruna, gave the assurance on Thursday in Abuja when a coalition of democratic stakeholders, under the African Centre for Justice and Human Rights, paid a solidarity visit to the commission’s headquarters.
Haruna said the commission’s performance in successive elections had continued to improve, expressing confidence that future elections would build on the experience recorded in Osun State.
He said the conduct of the Osun election was consistent with INEC’s commitment to delivering free, fair and credible elections.
“We thank you very much that you are happy with what had happened in Osun State. But it is consistent with what INEC has always stood for, which is that we are committed to conducting free, fair and credible elections,” Haruna said.
The national commissioner noted that the commission had recorded improvements in successive by-elections and expressed optimism that the trend would continue.
“As you agree with me, all the by-elections we have had, each one has always been better than the one before,” he said.
Haruna added that the remaining by-elections and ultimately the 2027 general election would be expected to surpass the standard recorded in Osun.
“God willing, the next general election—there are a few by-elections we will still have—there will be an improvement on Osun, and ultimately, the general election itself next year will be an improvement,” he said.
He thanked the coalition and Nigerians for their continued participation in the electoral process, assuring them that INEC would remain committed to improving the quality and credibility of elections across the country.
Earlier, the Coordinator of the African Centre for Justice and Human Rights-led group, Obed Agu, said the Osun governorship election had renewed the confidence of many Nigerians in the electoral process ahead of the 2027 elections.
Agu said the group had reviewed various aspects of the Osun election, including preparations before the poll, election-day conduct, security, results management and stakeholder engagement.
He said the group had concluded that the Osun election provided a new benchmark for democratic elections in Nigeria.
“The Osun election has given Nigeria a new democratic benchmark. Osun must not be an exception. Osun must be the standard,” Agu said.
The coordinator said the group comprised representatives of political parties, ethnic youth organisations, community leaders, religious leaders, women leaders, civil society organisations and other democratic stakeholders who participated in a National Post-Election Discourse convened by the African Centre for Justice and Human Rights.
Agu expressed confidence in the ability of INEC Chairman, Professor Joash Amupitan, to lead the commission towards a more credible, transparent and inclusive 2027 general election.
“We have confidence in the electoral institution. And we have confidence that, if the standard demonstrated in Osun is sustained and improved upon, Nigeria can deliver a 2027 election that will strengthen our democracy,” he said.
The group urged INEC to sustain the gains recorded in Osun and apply the lessons learned from the election to future polls across the country.
