The Transition Monitoring Group (TMG) has commended the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and voters in Osun State for the relatively seamless conduct of the August 15 governorship election, urging the judiciary to protect the mandate freely given by the people.

TMG, in a statement signed by its Chairman and Executive Director of the Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC), Auwal Musa Rafsanjani, particularly commended INEC for the absence of major technical glitches in most locations and the real-time uploading of polling-unit results on the INEC Result Viewing Portal (IReV).

The group, however, urged the judiciary to ensure that electoral litigation strengthens rather than undermines the sanctity of the ballot.

While acknowledging the constitutional responsibility of the courts to adjudicate electoral disputes, TMG cautioned against the use of technicalities, procedural manipulation or politically motivated litigation to overturn the genuine will of voters.

It said, “The Osun experience should strengthen Nigerians’ confidence that credible elections are possible. We must give credit where it is due, demand improvement where necessary and, most importantly, protect the power of the ballot by ensuring that every vote counts and every mandate freely given by the people is respected.”

TMG commended Osun voters for their resilience, peaceful participation and determination to exercise their democratic rights despite reported cases of vote buying, intimidation, harassment and other attempts to suppress voters.

The group said the relatively smooth conduct of the election and timely electronic transmission of results demonstrated that INEC, under the leadership of Professor Joash Ojo Amupitan, could provide a more transparent and credible electoral process when its systems and procedures function as intended.

“INEC deserves commendation where it gets things right. The Osun experience demonstrates that the Commission is capable of conducting a transparent electoral process, particularly through the effective deployment of technology and real-time results transmission.

“At the same time, Nigerians must continue to demand improvements and hold the Commission accountable where it falls short,” TMG said.

The civil society group stressed that INEC should not automatically be blamed for every electoral malpractice, noting that vote buying, voter intimidation, thuggery and other forms of manipulation are largely perpetrated by political actors and their supporters.

It called for political actors involved in such practices to be held accountable rather than shifting responsibility entirely to the electoral commission.

According to TMG, the Osun election, alongside recent governorship elections in Anambra, Ondo, Edo and Ekiti states, provides encouraging evidence that elections can be conducted peacefully and democracy can prevail when electoral processes are credible and the will of voters is respected.

The group said the absence of significant post-election violence in the states should strengthen public confidence in democratic processes and encourage political actors to accept electoral outcomes and pursue legitimate grievances through established legal channels.

TMG urged all candidates and political parties that participated in the Osun election to demonstrate political maturity by accepting the outcome, while encouraging those with legitimate grievances to seek redress through appropriate legal and electoral mechanisms.

It called on political parties to move away from politics driven by violence, vote buying, religious and ethnic mobilisation and empty slogans.

IThe group said parties should increasingly compete based on character, competence, credible programmes, track records and the ability to address the challenges confronting Nigerians.

Looking ahead to the 2027 general elections, TMG urged Nigerians to take greater responsibility for the quality of leadership they elect by obtaining and safeguarding their Permanent Voter Cards, ensuring prompt accreditation at polling units and turning out to vote without selling their votes.

The group cautioned voters against choosing candidates solely on the basis of religion, ethnicity, region, party loyalty or political slogans.

It urged citizens to scrutinise the records, teams, programmes and policy priorities of candidates, particularly their commitment to restoring peace and security, improving living conditions, fighting corruption, protecting human rights and strengthening democratic institutions.

“Democracy is ultimately strengthened by informed and courageous voters. Nigerians must not sell their votes and must not allow religion, ethnicity, region or party loyalty to replace the responsibility of evaluating candidates on their character, competence, track record and credible plans for the country,” TMG said.