By John Dike, Osogbo
Yiaga Africa has expressed concern over delays in the movement of sensitive electoral materials ahead of Saturday’s Osun State governorship election, warning that logistical challenges and inadequate security could undermine the credibility of the poll.
Speaking at the organisation’s pre-election briefing in Osogbo on Thursday, the Executive Director of Yiaga Africa, Mr. Samson Itodo, said the late reprinting and distribution of ballot papers and result sheets had placed significant pressure on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), creating risks that could affect the smooth conduct of the election.
According to Itodo, the development followed INEC’s decision to reprint all ballot papers and result sheets after the inclusion of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) governorship candidate, Mr. Francis Ajala, on the ballot.
He noted that the exercise forced the electoral commission to revise its logistics arrangements at the last minute.
“Any disruption to the timely movement and deployment of sensitive materials creates a window for manipulation, confusion and security threats.
This is a situation that requires urgent attention,” Itodo said.
The election observation group identified three major concerns arising from the delay.
First, it warned of possible logistics bottlenecks, noting that the revised ballot papers and result sheets might not reach all 30 local government areas and the state’s 3,763 polling units before voting begins.
Secondly, Yiaga Africa said the late deployment of election materials could expose them to security threats, as night movements and hurried transportation increase the risk of attacks, hijacking or tampering.
The group also cautioned that any delay or irregularity in the deployment of sensitive materials could erode public confidence in the electoral process and cast doubts on the credibility of the outcome.
To mitigate the risks, Yiaga Africa urged INEC to strengthen its logistics coordination by ensuring time-bound tracking of sensitive materials from the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) vaults to local government areas and Registration Area Centres (RACs).
It also advised the commission to publish a deployment timetable that would enable stakeholders to monitor the movement of materials and promptly report any delays.
The organisation further recommended the activation of contingency measures, including backup vehicles, alternative transportation routes and emergency printing arrangements where necessary
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On security, Yiaga Africa called on the Nigeria Police Force, the Department of State Services (DSS), the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) and other security agencies to provide adequate escort for all movements of sensitive materials and strengthen security around storage facilities across the 30 local government areas.
“The integrity of the election will be judged not just by what happens on election day, but by how well INEC manages this critical pre-election phase,” Itodo stated.
Describing the Osun governorship election as a significant test ahead of the 2027 general elections, Yiaga Africa warned that any failure in election logistics could establish a dangerous precedent and encourage electoral malpractice in future polls.
The organisation reaffirmed its commitment to deploying trained observers across the state to monitor the arrival of election materials, commencement of voting, accreditation, collation and other critical stages of the electoral process.
“We urge all stakeholders—INEC, security agencies, political parties and voters—to remain vigilant. The people of Osun deserve an election that is credible, peaceful and truly reflects their will,” Itodo added.
