With just 21 days to the August 15, 2026 Osun State Governorship Election, the Civil Society Network on Election Integrity has announced plans to convene a Citizens’ Town Hall aimed at promoting credible, peaceful and transparent elections in the state. The event is scheduled to hold on Sunday, July 26, 2026, at Adolak Event Hall, Osogbo, from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
The Network, comprising the Nigerian Women Trust Fund (NWTF), ElectHER, TAF Africa, The Kukah Centre, International Press Centre (IPC), Centre for Media and Society (CEMESO), and YIAGA Africa, said the Town Hall would serve as a non-partisan platform for dialogue between citizens and key electoral institutions to strengthen public confidence in the electoral process. The event will feature invited participants and will also be broadcast live on ARISE Television, NTA, AIT, the Osun State Broadcasting Service, and various digital platforms.
According to the organisers, the Resident Electoral Commissioner for Osun State, Mrs. Olutoyin Babalola, and the Commissioner of Police, CP Ibrahim Gotan, will lead discussions on election preparedness and security. Representatives of women, persons with disabilities, traditional rulers, faith-based organisations, civil society groups, youth organisations, media practitioners and other stakeholders are also expected to participate, while citizens will have opportunities to engage directly with electoral officials and make recommendations to enhance the credibility of the governorship election.
Chairman of the Planning Committee and Executive Director of the Centre for Media and Society, Dr. Akin Akingbulu, said the initiative underscores the Network’s commitment to strengthening electoral governance through inclusive citizen participation. Similarly, Co-Chair of the Planning Committee and Executive Director of the International Press Centre, Mr. Lanre Arogundade, noted that meaningful citizen engagement remains vital to ensuring transparency, accountability and public confidence in the electoral process.
The organisers explained that the Osun Citizens’ Town Hall builds on previous engagements held under the Electoral Act 2026, including a national dialogue in Abuja and a similar stakeholders’ meeting in Ekiti State ahead of its June 20 governorship election. They reaffirmed that the Civil Society Network on Election Integrity would continue to promote democratic accountability through policy advocacy, citizen engagement and collaboration with relevant stakeholders across Nigeria.
