Yiaga Africa has raised concerns about the credibility of the upcoming Osun State governorship election, warning that the poll could be affected by voter inducement.
In its pre-election report, the organisation said its observers recorded an increase in the sharing of cash and gift items by politicians and their supporters during campaign activities and community visits.
The report, based on observations carried out between June 14 and June 29, 2026, said many of the items were presented as charity or social support, but their timing close to the election could influence how people vote.
Yiaga Africa said incidents were reported in Irepodun, Ola-Oluwa, Olorunda and Osogbo Local Government Areas.
According to the report, a group known as the ITK Sisters shared cash, garri, beans and other food items with residents in Ilobu and Erin in Irepodun LGA. Similar distributions were also reported in Ekerele-Iwara in Ola-Oluwa LGA, as well as parts of Olorunda and Osogbo.
The organisation also reported a more advanced form of voter inducement in Ife South LGA. On July 7, 2026, some residents of Ara Joshua Village in Osi Ward reportedly received electronic transfers of N10,000 with the description, “Renewed Hope Ambassadors/APC EPYT.”
Yiaga Africa said the payments were linked to an earlier exercise in March 2026 when individuals collected voters’ Voter Identification Numbers (VINs) and National Identification Numbers (NINs). The same people later returned in June to collect beneficiaries’ bank account details before sending the money.
The organisation warned that this method of influencing voters is more difficult to detect because it happens long before election day and leaves little evidence compared to traditional vote buying at polling units.
Yiaga Africa also expressed concern over the low level of voter education for women, young people and Persons with Disabilities (PWDs).
It said voter education programmes for women were only reported in Irewole and Ola-Oluwa LGAs. Youth-focused campaigns were conducted by INEC in Irewole and Ola-Oluwa, while a civil society organisation carried out a similar programme in Ede South LGA.
For Persons with Disabilities, Yiaga Africa said only INEC organised targeted voter education, and this was limited to Ola-Oluwa LGA.
The organisation called for greater efforts to protect the integrity of the election and ensure all eligible voters receive proper civic education before the governorship poll.
