The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, says it will build on the gains recorded during the August 15 Osun State governorship election as preparations intensify for the 2027 general elections.
INEC National Commissioner and Chairman of the Information and Voter Education Committee, Mohammed Haruna, gave the assurance on Thursday in Abuja when a coalition of political, youth, civil society and community groups paid a solidarity visit to the commission’s headquarters.
Haruna said the commission’s electoral performance has continued to improve, expressing confidence that subsequent elections would draw lessons from the Osun experience and further strengthen the credibility of Nigeria’s electoral process.
He maintained that the Osun election reflected INEC’s commitment to conducting free, fair and credible polls, while thanking the coalition and Nigerians for their continued participation in the democratic process.
The visiting group, coordinated by the African Centre for Justice and Human Rights, said the conduct of the Osun election had renewed public confidence in Nigeria’s electoral system and provided a benchmark for the 2027 polls.
Its coordinator, Obed Agu, said the coalition’s post-election review examined the entire electoral process, including pre-election preparations, election-day conduct, security arrangements, results management and stakeholder engagement.
The group urged INEC and relevant government institutions to sustain and improve the standards recorded in Osun, stressing that the state should not be treated as an isolated success but as a model for future elections.
The coalition also expressed confidence in INEC Chairman, Professor Joash Amupitan, and the leadership of the security agencies to deliver a more credible, transparent and inclusive 2027 general election.
The coalition comprises the Arewa Consultative Youth Movement, Ohanaeze Youth Movement, Middle Belt Youth Forum, Oduduwa Consultative Youth Movement, PBAT Door-to-Door Movement and the African Centre for Justice and Human Rights, among other democratic stakeholders.
