The Opposition Political Parties under the banner of United for Democracy, and civil society organisations as well as other groups, has passed a vote of confidence on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) over the conduct of the just-concluded Osun State governorship election.
The group, led by its National Coordinator and Co-Convener, Obed Agu, said the outcome of the election, which was won by the Accord Party, demonstrated that the electoral process could provide a level playing field for political parties when properly managed.
Agu, who is also the National Organising Secretary of the Action Peoples Party (APP), led members of the coalition on a solidarity visit to the INEC headquarters in Abuja on Thursday.
The delegation commended the INEC Chairman, Professor Joash Ojo Amupitan, for his leadership of the commission and what it described as the beginning of a new era of electoral transparency.
The group was received by the National Commissioner and Chairman, Information and Voter Education Committee of INEC, Mohammed Kudu Haruna, who expressed appreciation for the visit.
Haruna said the commission was impressed by the solidarity shown by the coalition of political parties, civil society organisations and other groups, assuring that INEC would continue to provide an enabling environment for all political parties to campaign, canvass for votes and seek the mandate of the electorate.
He said the commission would improve on the lessons from the Osun election ahead of the 2027 general elections.
“We will improve on the Osun election for the 2027 poll. Like we have been saying, every political party will be given equal opportunity to canvass for votes and ensure that their votes count,” he said.
In his remarks, Agu said the coalition believed that opposition political parties should not oppose the government merely for the sake of opposition, but should also have the courage to acknowledge positive actions when they occur.
