The Broadcasting Organisation of Nigeria ( BON) has described the Osun State governorship election as a crucial “litmus test” for the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), commending the commission for delivering a transparent, free, fair and credible poll while demanding prosecution of electoral offenders.
BON’s commendation came after the August 15 governorship election, which was conducted across 30 local government areas, 320 wards and 3,763 polling units, with 2,339,233 registered voters eligible to participate. INEC had also deployed 5,130 Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) devices, backed by 1,328 reserve units, for the exercise.
The Organisation, in a statement signed by its Executive Secretary, Dr. Yemisi Bamgbose, said the performance of the Prof. Joash Akin Amupitan-led commission in Osun had provided an important benchmark for future elections.
BON said the outcome of the election, if consolidated and improved upon, could become a model for subsequent electoral contests in the country.
“The Osun State Governorship election was the real litmus test for INEC. The outcome, if improved upon, could serve as a model for subsequent elections in the country.”
The endorsement is significant coming from the umbrella body of Nigeria’s broadcasting industry, which BON says comprises more than 100 members collectively owning over 250 radio and television stations across the country.
BON credited INEC with deploying the personnel, logistics and electoral infrastructure required to conduct the poll, saying the commission deserved commendation for its efforts to safeguard the integrity of the process.
The Organisation also commended the security agencies for what it described as adequate deployment, saying their presence helped minimise tension and criminality before, during and after voting.The praise, however, came with a warning.
BON insisted that the credibility of an election should not be measured solely by the peaceful conduct of voting or the declaration of results, but also by what happens to those who violate electoral laws.
It therefore charged INEC and other relevant agencies to move against individuals who perpetrated electoral offences during the Osun election.
The broadcasters argued that prosecution would send a strong signal that electoral violations would no longer be treated as cost-free political manoeuvres.
“It is imperative that INEC ensures the prosecution of all persons who perpetrated electoral crimes, to serve as a deterrent to others.”
The call comes against the backdrop of INEC’s extensive preparations for the Osun poll.
Ahead of the election, Amupitan disclosed that the commission had increased BVAS deployment from 4,427 to 5,130, while doubling backup devices from 664 to 1,328 following concerns raised by political parties.
INEC also disclosed that about 32,000 NYSC members were recruited as ad hoc personnel for the election, while security agencies were deployed under the Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security framework.
For BON, however, the next test is enforcement.
The Organisation called on INEC and other relevant authorities to ensure strict enforcement of the Electoral Act and prosecute all offenders, arguing that accountability must accompany electoral reforms.
“We therefore call on INEC and other relevant agencies to ensure strict enforcement of electoral laws and prosecution of all offenders,” Bamgbose said.
The position effectively puts the spotlight on the post-election phase, where investigations and possible prosecutions will determine whether the credibility gains recorded during the Osun exercise translate into a stronger deterrent against electoral malpractice.
With the 2027 general elections already looming on the political horizon, BON’s intervention adds pressure on INEC and law-enforcement authorities to ensure that the Osun experience becomes more than a one-off success—and instead evolves into a sustainable standard for Nigeria’s electoral system
