OSIEC, JDPMC partner to address vote buying during Osun LG polls

The Osun State Independent Electoral Commission (OSIEC) and a non-governmental organisation, Justice, Development and Peace Makers’ Centre (JDPMC), Osogbo, have partnered to ensure that the February 22, 2025 local government election in the state becomes a model for the conduct of council polls in Nigeria.

To ensure that the forthcoming election is credible, fair, transparent, and acceptable, JDPMC Osogbo organised a workshop for OSIEC board members, management staff, and other categories of staff.

The workshop, themed “Towards Credible Local Government Election in Osun State,” was held in Osogbo, the capital of the state.

Speaking at the training, OSIEC Chairman, Hashim Abioye, said there are mechanisms in place to curb vote-buying during the polls, stating that electoral malpractice and the ongoing legal tussle over the forthcoming election will not threaten the exercise.

He noted that the commission has put in place the necessary logistics for a hitch-free election.

“Vote-buying is not a threat to the election at the local government level. There may be other challenges. We have in place facilities that will help us curb the incidence of vote-buying. I am sure that Osun residents will give us kudos after the election,” Abioye said.

“Despite the legal battles we are facing over the 2025 LG election, nothing can threaten the exercise. We have been facing legal challenges; it is part of the process. We are attending to cases in court, and as they come, we tackle them. There is nothing that has stopped the election, and I don’t think there is anything that could stop it.”
Earlier, the General Coordinator of JDPMC, Rev. Fr. Peter Akinkunmi, scored OSIEC highly for its preparedness for the 2025 local government polls.

He said, “Our organization, which is faith-based, decided to partner with OSIEC because of the commission’s preparedness. The preparedness is quite commendable. We are hopeful that the 2025 LG poll may serve as a model for the conduct of LG elections in Nigeria.”

Speaking on the topic, “Legal Ways to Curb Electoral Crimes,” the guest speaker, Olusegun Ayilara, explained that elections should not be seen as do-or-die affairs, as opposed to political impressions.

Ayilara, a Chief Magistrate in the state, identified the winner-takes-all mentality, violence, electoral manipulation, rigging, vote-buying, and other crimes as threats to the credibility of any election.

He suggested strengthening electoral laws, changing mindsets, and increasing voter education and awareness as solutions to electoral reforms and credibility.