Signal UK Cheers Adeleke, Flags BVAS, Vote Buying, Accessibility Issues in Osun Poll

Summary

Ademola Adeleke of the Accord party won Nigeria's Osun State governorship rerun election on August 15, 2026. The UK High Commission congratulated Adeleke's victory while raising concerns about practices that could undermine electoral credibility. It noted that overcrowding at polling units was partly linked to the slow rollout and limited availability of the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS). The statement also cited widespread cross-party vote buying and accessibility barriers restricting participation by people with disabilities and the elderly, along with isolated tension incidents and voter interference before and during the poll. The UK recommended that these lessons be incorporated to improve Nigeria's 2027 general election.