Osun guber poll: INEC warns against voter apathy, intensifies grassroots education, mobilisation

The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, has stepped up preparation towards the August 15, 2026 Osun State governorship election, calling for more robust voter education, inclusiveness and renewed efforts to tackle voter apathy across the state.
The charge was given by the Resident Electoral Commissioner for Osun State, Mrs. Oluwatoyin O. Babalola in a post on its X handle on Monday during the Joint Implementation Meeting of the Voter Education & Publicity and Gender & Inclusivity departments held on Monday in Osogbo.
On the importance of continuous civic engagement, Babalola said, “Election is a process, not an event.”
She warned that if voter education efforts are not continued, it could weaken participation in the democratic process.
While improvements have been observed in electoral administration, voter apathy remains a major concern, fueled by misinformation, distrust in the system, political disengagement and lack of adequate access to reliable electoral information, she said.
“Citizens need to understand not only when elections will take place, but why their participation matters,” she said.
She said voter education must be more than announcements but active engagement at the grassroots.
Babalola charged Electoral Officers and Assistant Electoral Officers to step up community outreach, including visits to markets, motor parks, schools and religious centres, and to work closely with traditional and religious leaders to deepen voter awareness.
On the issue of inclusivity, she said it is central to democratic participation. “Inclusivity is not just a policy objective but a democratic imperative,” she said, calling on officials to ensure women, youths, elderly persons and Persons with Disabilities are not excluded from electoral processes.
She also directed officials to identify communities with historically low voter turnout and develop targeted engagement strategies to improve participation.
“Every eligible voter must know why voting matters, how to vote correctly, where to vote and when to vote,” Babalola said, reiterating INEC’s commitment. She said the Commission is still focused on building trust and encouraging wider participation ahead of the 2026 governorship election in Osun State.
Meanwhile, the pro-democracy and non-partisan socio-political organisation, the Igbo Agenda Dialogue, has warned that any attempt to manipulate the 2027 general elections could throw Nigeria into a crisis that would threaten the country’s stability and democratic future.
The group issued the warning in a statement issued on Monday titled “Message to all the presidential candidates for the 2027 presidential election” co-signed by its convener and National Chairman, Chief Chekwas Okorie, and Executive Secretary, Jonathan Elendu.
The organisation congratulated the presidential candidates of various political parties and called on politicians, electoral officials and security agencies to conduct themselves responsibly before, during and after the elections.
The group said the 2027 presidential election is already shaping up to be one of the most competitive contests in Nigeria’s democratic history and urged all stakeholders to focus on issues not divisive rhetorics.
“We urge the politicians and their supporters to remain focused on issues and eschew the resort to acerbic and inflammatory rhetoric,” the statement read.
The IAD said the acceptance speeches of the presidential candidates have reflected a wide consensus on key areas that need urgent attention such as national development, security and unity.
But the group expressed worry about the prevailing socio-economic and security challenges facing the country, warning that reckless conduct by political actors could further inflame tensions.
“Nigeria is now passing through a lot of flash points and the citizenry is restive at this time as a result of many existential challenges. “Politicians, electoral umpire and security agencies should not aggravate the already incendiary and potentially explosive polity by their action and utterances,” the statement added.
The organisation also gave a heavy burden to the Independent National Electoral Commission, urging the electoral body to deliver a credible process that would inspire public confidence.
“The Independent National Electoral Commission has the onerous task of delivering credible, transparent, free and fair elections to Nigerians. Nigerians deserve no less. The world is watching,” it said.
The IAD also emphasised that security agencies must be professional and impartial throughout the electoral process, warning against any form of compromise that could undermine the integrity of the elections.
The group stated that, as part of its civic responsibility, it has started a voter mobilisation campaign across the country to encourage eligible Nigerians, especially those who have not obtained their voter cards, to participate in the electoral process.
In the statement, the organisation has called on citizens to take advantage of the ongoing Continuous Voter Registration exercise and come out in large numbers to vote for their preferred candidates and political parties during the 2027 elections.
“IAD, a non-partisan socio-political and pro-democracy organization, has already commenced nationwide advocacy to call on our people who are eligible to take advantage of the ongoing last phase of the continuous voters registration exercise by INEC to register and to come out in mass in January and February 2027 to vote massively for candidates and political parties of their choice,” the statement added.
The group also appealed to other civil society organisations and community groups in the country to support voter education and participation initiatives.
Any effort to undermine the will of the electorate, IAD warned, could have dire consequences for national peace and stability.
The statement warned that “any attempt to manipulate the electoral process or to shortchange the electorate during and after the elections may result in an uncontrollable anarchy that may threaten the very foundation of our country.”