The Centre for Better Society in Nigeria, a human rights group, has urged Nigerians to recognise that democracy can only be strengthened when voters understand their ballots belong to them, not to political godfathers or financial interests.

The group said recent electoral developments in Osun State offered important lessons about Nigerians’ growing political awareness and their willingness to defend their electoral choices.

It said reports that some voters accepted financial inducements from different political actors but still voted according to their conscience demonstrated the complexity of the country’s electoral environment.

The group also noted that citizens’ efforts to monitor their votes beyond the polling units and through the collation process represented an encouraging development for democracy.

It said the public intervention of music artiste Davido, who advocated protecting the incumbent governor’s electoral mandate, also drew attention to the role citizens could play in defending electoral integrity.

Ahead of the 2027 general elections, the group urged voters to remain peacefully engaged throughout the electoral process by observing the counting of votes, monitoring result declarations and ensuring that their votes were properly accounted for during collation.

It stressed, however, that such civic engagement must remain within the law and should not lead to confrontation or violence.

The group also called on electoral officials to uphold their responsibility to the Nigerian people and ensure that results accurately reflect the votes cast, regardless of political pressure or inducement.

It warned that compromising electoral integrity for financial gain could have consequences beyond the individual involved, affecting public confidence and the country’s democratic development.

The group said the Osun experience should serve as a reference point for future elections, arguing that an informed, organised and vigilant electorate could help reduce the influence of money and political structures on electoral outcomes.

It added that political spending might influence some voters but could not permanently determine their choices.

The group urged Nigerians to approach the 2027 elections with greater civic responsibility by voting, protecting their ballots peacefully, demanding transparency and holding public institutions accountable through lawful democratic processes.

“We may not yet have arrived at the democracy Nigerians desire, but the signs are encouraging,” the group said. (The Nation)