Okonkwo Says INEC’s Performance in Osun Election “Not to Be Applauded,” Faults Suspended Result Uploads
Kenneth Okonkwo, a chieftain of the African Democratic Congress and former spokesperson for the Labour Party’s presidential campaign, has criticised the Independent National Electoral Commission over its handling of the August 15 Osun State governorship election, insisting that the commission does not deserve commendation despite the relatively peaceful conduct of the poll. While acknowledging the outcome of the election, which saw Governor Ademola Adeleke secure another four-year term, Okonkwo stated plainly that he was not congratulating INEC for what occurred in Osun State, arguing instead that the commission’s conduct raised serious questions that remain unanswered.
Okonkwo’s central concern centered on the temporary suspension of result uploads to the INEC Result Viewing Portal during the collation process. According to him, uploading of results was suspended around 8 p.m. on election night, and no official explanation had been provided for the decision at the time of his comments. He insisted that INEC officials must come forward to clarify why the suspension occurred, describing the resulting uncertainty as a source of continued apprehension among stakeholders who followed the process closely. He argued that the commission’s overall performance should be questioned rather than praised, pointing specifically to the disruption as evidence of unresolved shortcomings in the process.
Despite his criticism of the electoral body, Okonkwo extended warm congratulations to both the people of Osun State and Governor Adeleke following the outcome of the election. He described the result as a decisive victory achieved by voters who refused to succumb to what he characterised as blackmail, intimidation, manipulation and political pressure originating from forces associated with the presidency. According to him, the people of Osun demonstrated remarkable resistance to attempts at undue influence before, during and after the election, ultimately delivering what he called a wonderful and emphatic result in favour of the incumbent governor.
Okonkwo also used the opportunity to caution opposition parties against complacency ahead of the 2027 general elections, stressing that Nigeria’s electoral process remains imperfect and still requires significant improvement. He noted that the African Democratic Congress achieved a strong outcome in Osun despite lacking the structural and financial apparatus available to parties with access to state or federal resources, describing this as proof that opposition forces could still make meaningful gains under difficult circumstances. He urged opposition parties to intensify their preparations, warning that the coming general election would present a considerably more difficult contest than the closely watched Osun poll.
Reflecting further on INEC’s broader track record, Okonkwo referenced the commission’s handling of the 2022 Osun governorship election, which he described as well organised and credible, contrasting it with what he called the commission’s mismanagement of the 2023 general election due to technical glitches experienced at the time. He argued that this inconsistency underscored the need for continued scrutiny of INEC’s operations, even in instances where individual elections appear to proceed smoothly on the surface. His remarks add to a broader wave of mixed reactions to INEC’s conduct of the Osun poll, with some civil society groups praising the commission’s transparency while others, including Okonkwo, maintain that significant concerns remain unresolved.
INEC has responded to some of the broader criticism surrounding the election, with the commission’s Chief Press Secretary dismissing separate allegations of ghost and hired voters, stating that the deployment of the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System made such practices technically impossible. The commission further disclosed that the election recorded a voter turnout of just over fifty percent, describing the figure as among the highest recorded in recent off-cycle elections. As reactions to the Osun poll continue to emerge from various political and civil society stakeholders, the discussion around INEC’s overall performance is expected to remain a significant point of reference ahead of the 2027 general elections.
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