EU Observers Warn of Risks Ahead of Osun Governorship Poll

The Election Observation Hub under the European Union Support to Democratic Governance in Nigeria Phase II (EU-SDGN II) presented a Pre-Election Assessment Report in Osogbo, raising concerns about security threats, misinformation, and the exclusion of vulnerable groups ahead of the August 15, 2026, Osun State governorship election. The report identified 13 of Osun's 30 local government areas as high-risk due to politically motivated violence.

The governorship race features incumbent governor Ademola Adeleke of the Accord Party, Bola Oyebamiji of the All Progressives Congress (APC), and Najeem Salaam of the African Democratic Congress (ADC). The report also noted that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) had registered about 2.33 million voters and was preparing to use the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS).

However, it emphasized that the success of the election would depend on timely funding and logistics. The report expressed concerns about misinformation on social media and the limited participation of women, youths, and Persons with Disabilities.