The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has urged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to urgently address growing incidents of political violence, threats and intimidation ahead of the August 15 Osun State governorship election.
SERAP, in a statement from n Tuesday, called on INEC to identify, document and publicly report reported cases of political violence in the state while taking preventive measures to protect voters, candidates and other participants in the electoral process.
The organisation also urged the electoral commission to promptly refer credible allegations of electoral violence and related offences to the Nigeria Police Force and other relevant law enforcement and security agencies for thorough, impartial and transparent investigation and prosecution.
SERAP further called for victims of political violence and their families to be given access to justice and effective remedies.
According to the organisation, 56 politically related violent incidents and 14 fatalities have reportedly been recorded in Osun over the past 12 months, with 36 incidents allegedly occurring between May and June alone.
The reported incidents include shootings, killings, physical attacks, intimidation, destruction of property and harassment.
SERAP said INEC had recognised political violence in Osun as a serious electoral-security concern and urged the commission to strengthen its threat assessment, monitoring and coordination with security and law enforcement agencies.
The organisation also called on INEC to document and preserve credible evidence of serious, widespread or systematic political violence in the state.
It said where alleged conduct could amount to crimes within the jurisdiction of the International Criminal Court, relevant evidence should be brought to the attention of appropriate national and international accountability mechanisms, including the ICC Prosecutor.
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SERAP cited Section 97 of the Electoral Act 2026, which expressly prohibits threats of force or violence during political campaigns.
It also referenced Section 14(2)(c) of the 1999 Constitution, as amended, which provides for the participation of citizens in government, as well as Sections 39 and 40, which protect freedom of expression, peaceful assembly and association.
Section 42 of the Constitution, SERAP noted, also guarantees equality and protection against discrimination.
The organisation stressed that no election should be conducted in an atmosphere of fear, insisting that Nigerians have the right to vote for candidates of their choice without intimidation or coercion.
SERAP urged INEC to ensure that security arrangements adequately protect voters, candidates, journalists, election observers and civil society organisations without political discrimination.
It called on the electoral commission to act immediately to protect the integrity of the Osun governorship election and guarantee every voter the opportunity to participate freely and safely.