The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC has intensified preparation towards the Osun State governorship election slated for August 15, 2026, calling for more robust voter education, inclusiveness and renewed efforts to tackle voter apathy across the state.
The charge was given by the Resident Electoral Commissioner for Osun State, Mrs Oluwatoyin O. Babalola in a post on its X handle on Monday during the Joint Implementation Meeting of the Voter Education & Publicity and Gender & Inclusivity departments held on Monday in Osogbo.
Babalola stressed the need for continuous civic engagement, saying, “Election is a process, not an event.”
Failure to continue voter education efforts could weaken participation in the democratic process, she warned.
She said that while there have been improvements in electoral administration, voter apathy remains a major concern, driven by misinformation, distrust in the system, political disengagement and lack of adequate access to reliable electoral information.
“Citizens need to know not just when elections will happen, but why it matters that they participate,” she said.
She said voter education must go beyond announcements, but active engagement at the grassroots.
Babalola charged Electoral Officers and Assistant Electoral Officers to intensify community outreach, including visits to markets, motor parks, schools and religious centres, and work closely with traditional and religious leaders to deepen voter consciousness.
She said the problem of inclusivity is fundamental to democratic participation. “Inclusivity is not only a policy objective but a democratic imperative,” she said, urging officials to make sure that women, youths, elderly persons and Persons with Disabilities are not excluded from electoral processes.
She also ordered officials to find communities with historically low voter turnout and develop targeted engagement strategies to boost participation.
Reiterating INEC’s commitment, Babalola said, “Every eligible voter must know why voting matters, how to vote correctly, where to vote and when to vote.” The Commission, she said, is still focused on building trust and encouraging wider participation ahead of the 2026 governorship election in Osun State.
Meanwhile, a pro-democracy and non-partisan socio-political organisation, the Igbo Agenda Dialogue, has warned that any attempt to tamper with the 2027 general elections could plunge Nigeria into a crisis that threatens the country’s stability and democratic future.
The group issued the warning in a statement released on Monday titled “Message to all the presidential candidates for the 2027 presidential election” co-signed by its convener and National Chairman, Chief Chekwas Okorie, and Executive Secretary, Jonathan Elendu.
In a statement, the organisation congratulated the presidential candidates of various political parties and called on politicians, electoral officials and security agencies to behave responsibly before, during and after the elections.
The group said the 2027 presidential election is already shaping up to be one of the most competitive contests in Nigeria’s democratic history and urged all stakeholders to focus on issues rather than divisive rhetorics.
The statement urged politicians and their supporters to stay focused on issues and avoid resorting to acerbic and inflammatory rhetoric.
The IAD said the acceptance speeches of the presidential candidates have reflected a broad consensus on key areas that need urgent attention such as national development, security and unity.
But the group voiced concern over the existing socio-economic and security challenges in the country and warned that the reckless conduct of political actors could further escalate tensions.
“Nigeria is now passing through a lot of flash points and the citizenry is restive at this time as a result of many existential challenges. “Politicians, electoral umpire and security agencies must not aggravate the already incendiary and potentially explosive polity by their action and utterances,” the statement added.
The organisation also placed a heavy burden on the Independent National Electoral Commission, urging the electoral body to deliver a credible process that would inspire public confidence.
“The Independent National Electoral Commission has the heavy responsibility of delivering credible, transparent, free and fair elections to Nigerians. Nigerians deserve nothing less. “The world is watching,” it added.
The IAD also stressed that security agencies must be professional and impartial throughout the electoral process, warning against any form of compromise that could undermine the integrity of the elections.
The group said it has commenced a nationwide voter mobilisation campaign as part of its civic responsibility to encourage eligible Nigerians, especially those who have not obtained their voter cards, to participate in the electoral process.
The statement had called on citizens to take advantage of the ongoing Continuous Voter Registration exercise and come out in large numbers to vote for their preferred candidates and political parties during the 2027 elections.
“IAD, a non-partisan socio-political and pro-democracy organization, has already commenced nationwide advocacy to call on our people who are eligible to take advantage of the ongoing last phase of the continuous voters registration exercise by INEC to register and to come out in mass in January and February 2027 to vote massively for candidates and political parties of their choice,” the statement added.
The group also urged other civil society organisations and community groups across the country to support voter education and participation initiatives.
Any attempt to undermine the will of the electorate, the IAD warned, could have dire consequences for peace and stability in the country.
The statement warned that “any attempt to manipulate the electoral process or to shortchange the electorate during and after the elections may result in an uncontrollable anarchy that may threaten the very foundation of our country.”
