The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, has called for stronger collaboration among stakeholders to address voter apathy ahead of the 2026 Osun State governorship election, describing the poll as a crucial test before the 2027 General Elections.

The call was made by National Commissioner and Chairman of The Electoral Institute, TEI, Professor Kunle Ajayi, in his opening address during a policy dialogue organised on the theme, ‘Voter Apathy and Prospects for Improved Voter Turnout: The 2026 Osun Gubernatorial Election in Perspective’, on Thursday in Osogbo.

Represented by the Osun INEC Resident Electoral Commissioner, REC, Oluwatoyin Babalola, Ajayi described the forthcoming governorship election as the final off-cycle governorship poll before the 2027 General Elections, saying its outcome and lessons would play a significant role in shaping INEC’s preparations for the nationwide elections.

He said,” Citizens’ participation remained central to electoral integrity. Democracy becomes stronger when voters actively participate in the electoral process. Elections provide citizens with the opportunity to exercise their sovereignty by choosing those who occupy public offices.

“The rate of voter turnout remains a concern to the Commission, and this dialogue provides an opportunity to engage with stakeholders on how to reverse the prevailing trend.”

He noted that the recent governorship election in Ekiti State recorded encouraging improvements in voter participation and electoral quality, adding that INEC was determined to ensure that Osun achieved even greater progress.

He urged participants to offer practical, evidence-based recommendations capable of improving voter turnout ahead of the election.

Ajayi also described the dialogue as another effort by INEC to bring together election administrators, academics, civil society organisations, development partners, security agencies, political parties, the media and other stakeholders to address challenges surrounding voter turnout and democratic participation.

In his goodwill message, Acting Director-General of TEI, Professor Ibrahim Sani, identified voter apathy as a major challenge to democracy in Nigeria.

Represented by Aishat Usman Jimoh, Deputy Director, Research and Documentation Department, TEI, Sani said the Osun election would provide an opportunity to examine the causes of low voter participation while generating practical solutions that could benefit future elections.

“Addressing voter apathy requires collective efforts from election managers, political parties, security agencies, the media, civil society organisations and citizens,” he said.

He expressed confidence that recommendations from the dialogue would contribute to a successful Osun governorship election and provide valuable lessons for the 2027 General Elections.

Speaking separately, Osun Resident Electoral Commissioner, Oluwatoyin Babalola, said the credibility of any democratic election depended not only on the conduct of the poll but also on the willingness of eligible citizens to vote.

She noted that “despite improvements in voter registration and electoral reforms, voter turnout had continued to decline across Nigeria, including Osun State”.

Babalola attributed the trend to “declining public trust in political leadership, economic hardship, misinformation, security concerns, youth disengagement and accessibility challenges affecting rural communities and Persons with Disabilities”.

She maintained that although INEC had introduced reforms such as Continuous Voter Registration, improved voter education, technological innovations, enhanced logistics and stronger stakeholder engagement, greater collaboration was required to increase participation.

She urged political parties to conduct peaceful, issue-based campaigns while calling on security agencies, traditional rulers, religious leaders, civil society organisations, educational institutions, youth and women groups, development partners and the media to intensify voter mobilisation and civic education.

While appealing to all stakeholders to reject violence, vote-buying, hate speech and misinformation, she reaffirmed that the commission is committed to a credible process, Babalola said INEC would conduct the August 15, 2026 Osun governorship election in compliance with the Constitution, the Electoral Act and the Commission’s regulations.