The Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) has commended Osun State voters for defending their democratic mandate 7 Saturday’s governorship election, while urging relevant agencies to investigate and prosecute cases of vote buying linked to the poll.

The group also praised the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and security agencies for the largely peaceful conduct of the election, describing the exercise as an important lesson for Nigeria ahead of the 2027 general elections.

In a statement issued on Sunday and signed by its National Coordinator, Comrade Emmanuel Onwubiko, HURIWA said voters deserved commendation for turning out despite the tension and violence that characterised the weeks preceding the election.

The association said the ability of voters to cast their ballots and remain vigilant throughout the process represented a significant victory for democracy, particularly given the reported cases of violence and killings before the poll.

HURIWA also commended INEC for what it described as a largely transparent, professional and neutral conduct of the election, while praising the security agencies for creating an environment that allowed citizens to exercise their franchise without widespread disruption.

The organisation congratulated Governor Ademola Adeleke of the Accord Party on his re-election, urging him to regard the victory as a mandate to govern the entire state rather than only those who supported his candidacy.

Adeleke polled 511,067 votes to defeat the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate, Bola Oyebamiji, who scored 444,815 votes. The African Democratic Congress (ADC) candidate, Najeem Salaam, came third with 17,180 votes.

The association urged Adeleke to use his renewed mandate to promote reconciliation and improve the welfare of the people, warning against political victimisation.

“An election victory is not a licence to victimise political opponents. It is a mandate to serve even those who voted against you,” HURIWA said.

It called on the governor to rise above partisan considerations and ensure that the confidence placed in him by the electorate translated into better governance, stronger institutions and respect for human rights.

However, HURIWA said the reported cases of vote buying remained a major blemish on the election and demanded action by law enforcement agencies.

The association warned that vote buying was gradually becoming one of the most serious threats to Nigeria’s democracy because it could turn the constitutional right to vote into a transaction determined by financial inducement.

“Vote buying is electoral robbery disguised as generosity. It is an assault on the sovereignty of the people,” the group said.

HURIWA urged INEC, the Nigeria Police Force, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) to investigate credible reports of vote buying during the election.

It said investigations should not be limited to individuals caught distributing money at polling units but should also trace the financial networks behind the practice and identify political actors and agents involved in coordinating voter inducement.

The group further called for the prosecution of electoral offenders, irrespective of their political affiliations or social standing.

HURIWA said the fight against vote buying must extend beyond election day, arguing that political financing and the sources of funds used to influence voters required closer scrutiny.

The organisation also warned political parties and their supporters against returning to the violence that characterised parts of the pre-election period.

It said the country must reject the mentality that elections were battles in which political opponents were treated as enemies.

“Election is not war. Politics is not warfare. Political opponents are not enemies, and the pursuit of public office cannot justify the shedding of innocent blood,” it said.

HURIWA urged security agencies to investigate reported cases of violence associated with the Osun election and ensure that perpetrators were brought to justice regardless of their political connections.

It said the reported killings and attacks in the build-up to the election should remind political actors that no political ambition justified the loss of human lives.

“No office in Nigeria is worth the life of one citizen. No political ambition is important enough to justify assassination, intimidation, arson, thuggery or communal violence,” the association said.

While commending the security agencies for their conduct during the poll, HURIWA urged them to sustain their professionalism and neutrality as preparations begin for the 2027 elections.

The organisation said security personnel should protect voters, ballots and the integrity of the electoral process rather than become instruments for intimidating political opponents.

It also urged INEC to document the lessons from the Osun election and apply them to future polls, particularly in the areas of logistics, voter accreditation, result management, transparency and communication.

HURIWA said public confidence in elections remained fragile and could only be sustained when electoral officials demonstrated independence and ensured that legitimate complaints were addressed through lawful channels.

“INEC must therefore continue to demonstrate that it belongs to the Nigerian people and not to any political party or government,” it said.

The association called on political parties and candidates to commit themselves to non-violence ahead of 2027, while urging traditional, religious and community leaders to discourage youths from being recruited as political thugs.

It equally appealed to young Nigerians not to allow themselves to be used as instruments of violence by politicians.

“Young Nigerians must refuse to die for politicians who will sit in fortified homes while they are sent into the streets to fight, kill and destroy,” HURIWA said.

The group also urged voters to resist attempts to manipulate their choices through ethnic or religious sentiments, intimidation and financial inducement.

It said the ultimate lesson from the Osun election was that political power belonged to the people and should be determined through free, peaceful and credible elections.

“Politicians are not the owners of Nigeria. They are temporary custodians of public power. The people are the sovereigns, and the ballot is their instrument of choice,” the association said.

HURIWA urged candidates and political parties dissatisfied with the election outcome to pursue their grievances through the courts rather than resort to violence.

It said the 2027 elections must not become another season of bloodshed, vote buying, intimidation and impunity, adding that the relative peace recorded during the Osun poll demonstrated what could be achieved when voters, electoral officials and security agencies performed their responsibilities professionally.

The association therefore congratulated the people of Osun State on the peaceful conclusion of the election and urged all political actors to embrace reconciliation, accountability and responsible governance.