INEC Investigates N100bn Spending in Osun Election

Experts have raised concerns regarding the challenges of tracking election expenditures as the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) investigates allegations that the All Progressives Congress (APC) and Accord spent over N100bn during the August 15 Osun State governorship election. A report indicated that the APC spent approximately N22.578bn on vote buying, while Accord spent around N11.289bn.

The APC allegedly allocated N40,000 per targeted voter, while Accord targeted an average of 150 voters in each of the state’s 3,763 polling units at N20,000 per voter. The report also noted that some voters received as much as N80,000 for their votes.

Under Section 92(2) of the Electoral Act 2026, candidates are limited to N3bn in election expenses. INEC National Commissioner Mohammed Haruna stated that the commission would conduct its own assessment to verify these claims before determining any breaches of the spending limit.

Former and serving Resident Electoral Commissioners expressed skepticism about INEC's ability to track exact expenditures but urged enforcement of the spending limits and prosecution of offenders.