A coalition comprising opposition political parties, ethnic youth organizations, and civil society groups has expressed commendation for the recent governorship election in Osun State. They are urging the Federal Government, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), and security agencies to uphold the standards demonstrated during this election as the nation approaches the 2027 general elections.

Among the groups involved are the Arewa Consultative Youth Movement, Ohanaeze Youth Movement, Middle-Belt Youth Forum, Oduduwa Consultative Youth Movement, PBAT Door-2-Door Movement, and the African Centre for Justice and Human Rights (ACJHR). They characterized the Osun election as a significant milestone in Nigeria’s democratic journey.

During a press conference held in Abuja, the coalition, represented by High Chief Uchenna Nnadi, National Chairman of the Action Peoples Party (APP), emphasized that the importance of the Osun election transcends the victory of any individual candidate or party. They highlighted that the true value of the election lies in the opportunity it provided voters to exercise their franchise in a relatively peaceful environment.

The coalition commended INEC for its effective management of the election, particularly praising the leadership of its chairman, Prof. Joash Amupitan. They asserted that the credibility of an election should ultimately be evaluated based on whether voters can freely cast their ballots and have their choices respected. They noted, "The most important achievement of any election is not necessarily who wins or who loses. It is whether the people believe that they had a genuine opportunity to determine their leadership through the ballot."

Furthermore, the coalition expressed confidence in President Bola Tinubu and the security agencies for their roles in facilitating a fair electoral process. They described Tinubu and Amupitan as “new democratic heroes” and urged them to maintain the level playing field established during the Osun election in future elections.

The groups underscored the need for the Federal Government to respect the sanctity of voters' choices, stating that the Osun experience should serve as a model for the upcoming elections. They stressed that credible elections cannot be guaranteed if voters or electoral officials face intimidation or violence, calling on security agencies to exhibit professionalism and neutrality in future electoral processes.

While praising the electorate of Osun State for their participation, the coalition also congratulated Governor Ademola Adeleke on his victory. They urged him to focus on uniting the people and delivering good governance, regardless of political affiliations.

Despite their commendations, the coalition urged INEC to conduct a thorough post-election review to identify areas for improvement, including logistics, voter accreditation, and results management. They emphasized that the credibility of an election should be assessed throughout the entire electoral cycle, not just on election day.

Looking ahead to the 2027 elections, the coalition identified key elements necessary for credible elections: independent electoral management, a level playing field, professional security agencies, and the freedom for voters to express their choices. They argued that if these conditions are maintained, Nigeria can prove that credible elections are achievable.

The coalition also called for political parties to adhere to electoral laws and foster internal democracy, asserting that the integrity of the ballot must begin with transparent processes within political parties. They encouraged Nigerians to remain hopeful in the democratic process, emphasizing that improvements in electoral conduct and respect for election outcomes will strengthen the nation’s democratic institutions.