OSOGBO, Nigeria — The Movement for Credible Elections (MCE) has called on journalists and civil society organisations to embrace their roles as watchdogs in covering the upcoming August 15, 2026, Osun State governorship election and beyond. The group stressed the importance of credible elections in fostering competent and accountable leadership within Nigeria.

Speaking at an interactive session with journalists in Osun, Comrade Lanre Fadaunsi, a representative of MCE, highlighted that compromised elections, marred by vote-buying, intimidation, or manipulation, weaken democratic institutions and erode public trust in government.

Fadaunsi urged reporters covering the election to maintain professionalism and impartiality, emphasizing the need to resist political inducements, propaganda, misinformation, and pressure from political actors. He advised journalists to report only what they personally witness at polling units and to refrain from making premature declarations about election leads based on limited results.

The MCE representative also implored media practitioners to meticulously document incidents of violence, voter intimidation, suppression, and other electoral irregularities. He noted that such documented reports could serve as crucial historical records for future generations.

Vote-buying, particularly the exploitation of poverty to sway voters, was strongly condemned by Fadaunsi, who described the practice as a significant threat to genuine democratic choice. He asserted that citizens' constitutional right to choose their leaders must be protected and that individuals should not be treated as commodities whose votes can be purchased.

Fadaunsi further emphasized the necessity of active citizen participation and monitoring in the electoral process. He advocated for a robust national platform that would enable journalists and citizens to collectively observe elections and document developments across the country.

He expressed confidence in Nigeria's capacity to conduct elections meeting international standards, pointing out that Nigerians consistently achieve excellence globally despite persistent challenges with electoral credibility at home. Fadaunsi suggested that the 2026 Osun governorship election presents a vital opportunity to test Nigeria's commitment to democratic development, especially in the lead-up to the 2027 general elections.

The MCE representative appealed to journalists to remain neutral, verify information before publication, provide fair coverage to all political actors, and report electoral developments without fear or favour. He concluded by stating that the media's fundamental responsibility is to inform, educate, and empower citizens while safeguarding the integrity of democracy.