Some opposition political parties and ethnic youth groups have passed a vote of confidence in the Independent National Electoral Commission, President Bola Tinubu and security agencies over the conduct of the Osun governorship election.
The groups say the poll demonstrated that voters could freely make their choice and are asking INEC and the Federal Government to replicate what they described as the Osun standard in the 2027 general elections.
For these political and youth groups, the significance of the Osun election goes beyond which party won.
They say the greater test was whether voters could cast their ballots without intimidation and whether their choices were respected.
Speaking for the groups, National Chairman of the Action Peoples Party, Uchenna Nnadi, commended INEC and its Chairman, Professor Joash Amupitan, for what he described as an independent and credible electoral process.
The groups also acknowledged the role of security agencies in maintaining a peaceful environment for the election.
President Bola Tinubu also received their commendation.
The groups say the Federal Government provided what they described as a level playing field and did not use federal power to influence the outcome in favour of the ruling party.
But their attention is already turning to 2027.
They want the electoral commission to institutionalise the practices they believe worked in Osun and apply them consistently across the country.
For the groups, the bigger test will be whether the confidence they say was strengthened by the Osun election can be sustained through the next general election.
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Editor..Ada Ononye
