A coalition of Nigerian students and civil society organisations has called on the United States, United Kingdom, European Union, United Nations and other members of the international community to urge the Federal Government to ensure a free, fair and transparent governorship election in Osun State on August 15, 2026.

Osun Election: IGP Disu Explains Why Gotan Was Asked To Step Aside As Police Commissioner

The appeal was made on Friday by representatives of the coalition, Olayinka Dada and Igwe Ude-Umanta, during a visit to the United States Embassy in Abuja, where they also submitted petitions to the US Embassy, British High Commission, European Union Delegation and United Nations offices.

The coalition expressed concern over what it described as rising political tension ahead of the election, citing allegations of political violence, voter intimidation, misuse of public institutions and other developments that could undermine the credibility of the poll. It also referenced the recent freezing of an Osun State Government bank account by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) before President Bola Tinubu directed the anti-graft agency to lift the restriction. According to the group, the timing of the action created the impression of political interference despite the EFCC’s stated reasons.

In its petition, the coalition urged the international community to closely monitor the electoral process before, during and after the election and encourage the Federal Government to maintain political neutrality. It also called on security agencies to investigate all allegations of politically motivated violence without bias and prosecute anyone found culpable, regardless of political affiliation. The group further urged international partners to support efforts aimed at safeguarding Nigeria’s electoral integrity and to impose appropriate sanctions on individuals found to have undermined the credibility of the Osun governorship election.