As Osun State prepares for a decisive governorship election, the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, faces a defining test. The Commission must recognise that Nigerians, democracy advocates, and the international community will scrutinise every decision it takes before, during, and after the poll.
Elections exist to protect the sanctity of the people’s mandate, not merely to announce winners. Any compromise of that responsibility would betray democracy and erode public trust in the electoral umpire.
Concerns have been raised about past elections, including allegations of irregularities elsewhere. Whether or not those claims were proven, INEC must ensure that nothing in Osun provides grounds for similar doubts. The Commission must rise above suspicion by conducting an election that is transparent, impartial, credible, and beyond reproach.
Osun voters are politically aware and deserve an election in which every legitimate vote counts. There should be no space for manipulation, selective enforcement of the rules, or any conduct that weakens confidence in the outcome.
INEC officials must remember that public office is a public trust. Every action taken in the discharge of constitutional duties carries legal and moral consequences. Decisions influenced by bias, pressure, or personal interest may offer short-term gains, but history records those who subvert the will of the people.
Officials entrusted with elections should consider the legacy they will leave. No material reward is worth sacrificing integrity or being remembered as an instrument that undermined democracy. Public service requires accountability, fairness, and a commitment to justice.
INEC should seek the respect of citizens by standing firmly for truth, fairness, and the rule of law. The goodwill that comes from faithful service far outweighs any temporary advantage gained through compromise.
Osun does not need a disputed election. It needs a credible process that reflects the genuine choice of its people. The Commission must therefore resist intimidation, inducement, and interference from any political actor.
Democracy endures only when electoral institutions are independent and accountable. Any departure from that standard will damage public confidence and weaken Nigeria’s democratic foundations.
The charge to INEC is clear: act with integrity, remain accountable to the Nigerian people, and allow justice to prevail. Let the votes carry more weight than political influence, and let Osun stand as an example of a peaceful, free, fair, and credible election.
History will record the role of every official. Let that record reflect honour, integrity, and faithful service, not regret or failure at a moment that mattered most.
Signed:
Comrade James Onifade
Advocate for Good Governance and Judicial Reform
