The Movement for Credible Elections (MCE) has called on journalists and civil society organisations to be conscious of their role as watchdogs in their coverage of the upcoming Osun governorship election and beyond. The group also urged all stakeholders, including citizens, to play a more active role in monitoring the electoral process, documenting irregularities, and ensuring the August 15, 2026, election reflects the genuine will of the people.

Speaking at an interactive session with journalists in Osun ahead of the election, Comrade Lanre Fadaunsi, a representative of the MCE, stressed that credible elections are essential to producing competent and accountable leadership. He warned that compromised elections, through vote-buying, intimidation, manipulation, or other irregularities, weaken democratic institutions and public confidence in government.

Fadaunsi urged journalists covering the election to remain professional, impartial, and committed to facts. He advised reporters to resist political inducement, propaganda, misinformation, and pressure from political actors. Journalists should report what they personally observe at polling units and avoid making premature declarations about election leads based on limited results, he stated. He also encouraged media practitioners to document incidents of violence, voter intimidation, suppression, and other electoral irregularities, noting that such reports could become important historical records.

The MCE representative condemned vote-buying, particularly the exploitation of poverty to influence voters, describing the practice as a threat to genuine democratic choice. He argued that citizens' constitutional right to choose their leaders must be protected and that individuals should not be reduced to commodities whose votes can be purchased.

Fadaunsi emphasised the importance of citizen participation and monitoring, calling for a stronger national platform for journalists and citizens to collectively observe elections and document developments. He expressed confidence in Nigeria's human capacity to conduct elections that meet international standards, despite persistent challenges with electoral credibility.

Fadaunsi maintained that the 2026 Osun governorship election could provide an important test of Nigeria’s commitment to democratic development ahead of the 2027 general elections. He appealed to journalists to remain neutral, verify information before publication, give all political actors fair coverage, and report electoral developments without fear or favour, stating that the media's ultimate responsibility is to inform, educate, and empower citizens while protecting democracy's integrity.