ENUGU, Nigeria (VOICE OF NAIJA)- The 2026 Osun State governorship election will be a major test of the Independent National Electoral Commission and security agencies ahead of the 2027 general elections, founder of the GoNigeria Initiative, Atedo Peterside, has said.
Peterside said the election was particularly important because it would be the last major off-cycle governorship poll before Nigerians return to the ballot for the 2027 general elections.
He warned that any significant failure in the conduct of the Osun election could raise fresh concerns about INEC’s ability to deliver a credible general election next year.
“Osun is the last off-cycle election before the general election, so it is significant. If INEC bungles the election, chances are that they will not be ready for the general election,” he said.
Peterside, who is also the founder of the ANAP Foundation, said the conduct of the poll would be closely scrutinised by Nigerians, with INEC, the police and other security agencies effectively being put on trial.
“The Osun election, same as four years ago, is a referendum on INEC, security agencies, police, everybody. In the eyes of the public, they are on trial,” he said.
He recalled that INEC’s handling of the previous Osun governorship election had been relatively commendable, noting that the outcome was known within hours of voting.
“Last time around, INEC did well in Osun. By 6pm, we knew who the winner was. I hope they will pass the test this time,” Peterside said.
Peterside also drew attention to the growing influence of young Nigerians in the electoral process, saying their participation could significantly shape the outcome of elections.
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He said the GoNigeria Initiative was created to encourage young people to participate in elections while equipping them with the knowledge needed to make informed decisions at the polls.
According to him, the initiative uses a “train-the-trainers” approach, under which selected young Nigerians are trained and subsequently tasked with educating others about the electoral process.
Peterside expressed concern that many young voters participating in the Osun election would be voting for the first time, stressing the need for the electoral system to give them confidence in democracy.
“For many of them in Osun, it’s a first-time outing, that they are allowed to come out, and I hope Nigeria does not disappoint them for doing so,” he said.
He added that the sheer size of Nigeria’s youthful population meant that young voters could determine electoral outcomes if they rallied behind a candidate.
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“In any election in Nigeria, if these young people vote for the same person, that person has won based on demography,” he said.
Vanguard reports that he further identified voter turnout as one of the ways to frustrate attempts to manipulate elections through vote buying.
He argued that when large numbers of voters turn out, it becomes more difficult for politicians or their agents to influence the electorate through financial inducements.
“One of the ways to prevent riggers is to ensure voters’ turnout. It’s a large number of voters that make it difficult for even vote buyers to buy voters,” Peterside said.
He urged stakeholders to work towards a credible Osun election that would strengthen public trust in the electoral process and provide a positive signal ahead of the 2027 general elections.