EU-SDGN Reports N50,000 Vote Trading in Ekiti, Osun Elections

The European Union Support to Democratic Governance in Nigeria (EU-SDGN) Election Observation Hub reported significant vote trading during the Ekiti and Osun states governorship elections held in June and August 2026. Prof. Bolade Eyinla presented findings indicating that voters were compensated up to N50,000 for selling their votes, describing the situation as a "pandemic." He noted that 77% of verified incidents involved vote trading, primarily orchestrated by party agents.

In Osun, the figure was 69%, with no reported arrests or prosecutions for these offenses. The Hub criticized the organized nature of vote trading and the resulting sense of impunity.

Eyinla explained the process of vote trading, where voters marked their ballots and displayed them for confirmation before receiving payment. The Hub called for the presentation of election results from the ward level to address irregularities.

Despite these issues, the Hub commended the Independent Electoral Commission for organizing a near-perfect election and acknowledged the role of security agencies in maintaining peace during the polls.