As preparations intensify for the Osun State off-cycle governorship election scheduled for August 15, 2026, the International Press Centre (IPC) and the Centre for Media and Society (CEMESO) have convened key stakeholders to drive collaborative measures for a credible, transparent, and peaceful poll.
The stakeholder interface, held on Thursday, is part of Component 4 (Support to Media) of the European Union Support to Democratic Governance in Nigeria Phase II (EUSDGN II) programme. The initiative aimed to strengthen synergy among key electoral actors in Osun State, promote peaceful participation, and proactively address structural issues that could undermine citizen confidence in the upcoming ballot.
The high-level engagement brought together representatives from the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) Osun Command, the National Orientation Agency (NOA), the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), and the Nigeria Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ) to align on operational readiness and inclusive polling strategies.
Testing Reforms Under the Electoral Act 2026
In his opening address, Mr. Lanre Arogundade, Executive Director of the IPC, expressed optimism about the collective commitment displayed by the participants, noting that their presence signals a shared determination to deliver a popular and acceptable election.
Arogundade highlighted IPC’s extensive pre-election interventions designed to safeguard the integrity of the process. These include the establishment of a six-person INEC fact-checking unit, digital literacy training for 15 state Voter Education Providers (VEP), information management capacity building for 40 INEC officials, and reporting workshops for 25 print and online journalists. He also revealed that a recent public opinion poll conducted by the IPC showed that Osun citizens prioritize education, youth empowerment, rural development, and agriculture.
Stressing the strategic importance of the upcoming ballot, Arogundade reminded stakeholders that this will be the second off-cycle election conducted under the new Electoral Act 2026, making it a definitive test for mandatory electronic transmission of results from polling units to the IReV portal.
“The Osun State off-cycle governorship election is clearly contentious, amid concerns from observers, monitors, and citizens about growing attempts to settle political disputes through violence,” Arogundade stated. “If left unchecked, such behaviour could reduce voter turnout on election day, especially among vulnerable groups, including women and persons with disabilities. Threats of violence could also disrupt logistical preparations, as prospective ad hoc staff may reconsider their participation.”
He emphasized that because this is the last major election before the 2027 general elections, its credibility will heavily weight public confidence in the new INEC leadership, placing the ultimate responsibility on the shoulders of the managers of the electoral process.
Combating Media Threats and Enhancing Voter Education
Echoing the call for vigilance, the Executive Director of CEMESO, Dr. Akin Akingbulu, stated that the intense competition among the major political parties has drawn national attention to Osun, necessitating strict oversight from civil society and regulatory bodies.
Akingbulu disclosed that field data gathered from local journalists identified political propaganda, misinformation, and economic pressures as the most severe threats currently facing press freedom in the state. To counteract voter apathy and manipulation, he called for immediate, sustained media campaigns.
“Voter education cannot be an activity we remember only on the eve of the poll,” Akingbulu said. “The gaps are visible: voter apathy, confusion about procedures, vulnerability to vote-buying, and declining trust in the process. The media remains the most trusted teacher the voter has. I task every station, every newsroom and every platform represented here to make civic and voter education a daily editorial commitment between now and 15 August.”
He also urged media houses to leverage the Civic and Voter Education (CVE) Toolkit developed under the EU-funded programme to uplift marginalized demographics, noting that while women and youth constitute the voting majority in Osun, they remain sidelined from prominent political discourse.
INEC Demands Verifiable Reporting to Curb Panic
Addressing the forum, the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) for Osun State, Mrs. Oluwatoyin Babalola, warned that the deliberate spread of fake news poses a direct threat to national security and democratic stability.
Babalola confirmed that INEC’s logistical and administrative preparations are proceeding on schedule in strict compliance with the Electoral Act and official guidelines. She explained that the commission has expanded its stakeholders’ net to include traditional rulers, religious leaders, and civil society groups while concurrently stress-testing its election technologies.
“One of the greatest threats to credible elections today is the deliberate spread of false information,” Babalola warned. “Disinformation and misinformation can create unnecessary panic, suppress voter turnout, damage public confidence, and trigger avoidable tensions. Accuracy, fairness, balance and professionalism should remain the guiding principles of election reporting.”
The REC urged media professionals to maintain a continuous, open channel of communication with the commission to verify sensitive data before publication, stating that verified facts must serve as the primary defense against electoral panic.
Journalists Pledge Professionalism and Inclusivity
In response, leadership of the state’s press corps affirmed their readiness to execute conflict-sensitive, balanced reporting throughout the election cycle.
The Chairman of the NUJ in Osun State, Dr. Adeyemi Aboderin, expressed gratitude to the IPC, CEMESO, and the European Union for providing professional journalists with critical training tools. He challenged all media houses to immediately deploy their resources toward ensuring a crisis-free election on August 15.
Similarly, Comrade Abisola Ariwodola, the State Chairperson of NAWOJ, emphasized that the election presents an ideal opportunity for the media to champion institutional reforms. She noted that female and youth journalists in the state are uniquely positioned to amplify the voices of vulnerable populations, ensuring that voter education reaches every segment of the Osun electorate.
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