…insists on free, fair and credible poll

A coalition of civil society organisations and former leaders of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has petitioned the United States Embassy, British High Commission, European Union (EU) and United Nations (UN) in Abuja, seeking urgent diplomatic intervention to ensure a peaceful, free, fair and credible governorship election in Osun State.

The groups, in separate petitions dated August 6, 2026, expressed concern over what they described as rising political tension, alleged violence, intimidation, abuse of state institutions and other developments capable of undermining the credibility of the August 15 governorship election.

They also called on the international community to consider sanctions, including visa restrictions and asset freezes where legally applicable, against individuals found responsible for sponsoring electoral violence.

Speaking to journalists after submitting the petitions, representatives of the groups, including Comrade Olayinka Dada and Prince Igwe Ude-Umanta, said the international community must pay close attention to developments in Osun, arguing that the election would serve as an important test of Nigeria’s democratic resilience ahead of the 2027 general elections.

In one of the petitions addressed to the United States Ambassador, the coalition said recent developments had heightened concerns among citizens, civil society organisations and other stakeholders over the prospects of a peaceful and credible election.

The organisations alleged incidents of violence, intimidation and unresolved killings, which they attributed to political actors. They also accused the Federal Government of deploying state institutions in ways they claimed had created an uneven playing field in favour of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

The groups specifically cited the recent freezing of the Osun State Government’s bank account by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), describing the action as politically troubling and capable of undermining public confidence in the electoral process.

They urged the United States mission to publicly reaffirm its support for constitutional democracy, the rule of law and credible elections in Osun State and Nigeria.

The coalition also called on the US government to engage President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration and political parties, particularly the APC, to ensure that the election is conducted peacefully and in accordance with the Constitution and relevant electoral laws.

It urged political actors to refrain from violence, intimidation and the alleged misuse of security agencies and public institutions, while calling on electoral and security agencies to discharge their responsibilities professionally, impartially and in accordance with citizens’ rights.

The groups further asked the US mission to closely monitor developments surrounding the election and engage Nigerian authorities where necessary.

The coalition alleged that violence, intimidation and the deployment of federal institutions were being used to create undue advantage for the APC.

It claimed that several alleged incidents of violence in the state had not resulted in arrests or prosecutions and urged the international community to demand accountability from the relevant Nigerian authorities.

The petitioners also called for sanctions against individuals found to have sponsored electoral violence, including visa bans and asset restrictions in the United States where legally justified.

The petition specifically urged the US authorities to consider sanctions against the EFCC chairman over what the coalition described as the commission’s alleged role in actions capable of undermining the electoral process.

The group further appealed to the United States to engage the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the Nigeria Police Force and encourage them to guarantee a peaceful and credible election.

In a separate petition, the former NANS leaders said their history of student activism and participation in Nigeria’s pro-democracy struggle compelled them to speak out against developments they believed could erode the country’s democratic gains.

They urged the US Embassy to engage the Federal Government and all political parties to promote adherence to constitutional principles and internationally recognised democratic standards.

The former student leaders also called for equal political opportunities for all candidates, neutrality and professionalism by security agencies, support for domestic election observation and civic participation, as well as sustained diplomatic engagement to strengthen electoral integrity.

They stressed that Nigeria’s democratic stability has implications beyond its borders, arguing that the outcome of the Osun election would be significant to the country’s democratic trajectory ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The groups said their petitions were not intended to undermine Nigeria’s sovereignty but to seek constructive international engagement in support of democratic values, constitutional governance, human rights and peaceful political participation.

They appealed to the diplomatic missions and international institutions to act urgently to prevent violence and ensure that the August 15 election reflects the will of the people of Osun State.

The petitioners said they remained available to provide further information and engage relevant diplomatic missions on measures capable of promoting a peaceful and credible electoral process.