Development Watch Network.

With Yiaga Africa – I just got recognised as one of their top fans! 🎉

*DWN, Pan African Women Project and INEC Sensitise 100,000 Market Women Ahead of Osun Governorship Election*

Today, Saturday, 8 August 2026, the Development Watch Network (DWN), in partnership with the Pan African Women Project and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), carried out a massive voter education and sensitisation exercise targeting 100,000 market women in Ogiyan Market, Ejigbo, and Sasa Market, Osogbo, Osun State.

The exercise focused on educating and sensitising market women on their civic responsibilities and the importance of participating actively and peacefully in the forthcoming Osun State Governorship Election scheduled for 15 August 2026.

The team provided important information on peaceful participation, informed voting, electoral rights and responsibilities, and the need for voters to protect the integrity of their votes while rejecting electoral violence and other forms of malpractice.

The initiative also emphasised the importance of women’s participation in the electoral process, recognising market women as an important constituency in strengthening democratic participation at the grassroots.

DWN and its partners reaffirmed their commitment to promoting credible, peaceful, inclusive and transparent elections through continuous voter education and community-level engagement across Osun State.

🗳️ Strengthening Democracy Through Voter Education in Obokun LGA

As part of preparations for the 2026 Osun State Governorship Election, the Development Watch Network (DWN) successfully conducted a comprehensive voter education and enlightenment campaign across Obokun Local Government Area, with support from the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Osun State.

Over the course of the exercise, our dedicated seven-member team visited eight communities—including Ibokun, Ilase, Imesi-Ile, Esa-Odo, Esa-Oke, Otan-Ile, Ora, Idominasi, Iponda, Ipetu-Ile, and Ilahun—to engage citizens on the importance of active and peaceful participation in the electoral process.

Through community meetings, market sensitization, visits to schools, motor parks, and advocacy engagements with traditional and community leaders, thousands of residents received voter education materials and practical information on:

* The 2026 governorship election process
* PVC collection
* Voting procedures
* Peaceful participation
* The importance of every vote

The exercise recorded encouraging public interest, widespread community support, and positive engagement with citizens across the Local Government Area.

DWN remains committed to promoting informed participation, peaceful elections, and credible democratic processes in Nigeria.

Together, let’s build a stronger democracy—one informed voter at a time.

Voter Education and Enlightenment Activities in Iwo Local Government for the Forthcoming Governorship Election in Osun State by the Development Watch Network (DWN) Team Funded by INEC

Tuesday, 14th July 2026: Sensitisation and Distribution of Voter Education Materials

On Tuesday, 14th July 2026, the Development Watch Network (DWN) team carried out a comprehensive voter education and sensitisation exercise at Odo-Ori Market, Iwo, which coincided with the community’s market day. The activity provided an excellent opportunity to engage traders, buyers, residents, and visitors from neighbouring towns, significantly expanding the reach of the voter education campaign.

During the sensitisation, the team educated members of the public on the forthcoming Osun State Governorship Election, with particular emphasis on the election date, voting time, and the importance of active citizen participation. Many participants sought clarification on when the election would be held and the time voting would commence, highlighting the relevance and timeliness of the awareness campaign.

Hundreds of voter education flyers were distributed to market users, while large-format awareness posters were displayed at strategic public locations, including Odo-Ori Market, Oja-Oba, and New Garage, to reinforce key voter education messages and ensure sustained public visibility.

The team also visited educational institutions, including Iwo Grammar School, Baptist High School, Bowen University, and adjoining communities. During these visits, teachers, non-teaching staff, students, and community members were engaged in interactive voter education sessions. The purpose of the campaign was explained, and educational materials, including flyers and posters, were distributed to participants.

The interactive sessions provided an opportunity for participants to ask questions regarding the electoral process. The team explained the voting procedures and emphasised that only eligible citizens in possession of valid Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) would be permitted to vote on election day. Participants were encouraged to turn out in large numbers, reject all forms of vote buying and electoral malpractice, remain peaceful throughout the electoral process, comply with the lawful directives of INEC officials, and conduct themselves responsibly before, during, and after voting.

Security-related concerns were also addressed during the engagement. Participants were assured that security agencies would collaborate closely with the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to maintain law and order throughout the election. It was explained that security personnel would be deployed primarily to safeguard voters, election officials, and electoral materials, while ensuring a peaceful and secure voting environment without interfering in the voting process.

In response to questions regarding the credibility and integrity of the election, the team explained the roles of INEC-accredited election observers and election monitors. Participants were informed that accredited observers would independently observe and document the conduct of the election without interfering in the process, while monitors would help assess compliance with established electoral guidelines and procedures. These mechanisms, alongside other institutional safeguards, were presented as important measures for promoting transparency, accountability, and public confidence in the electoral process.

Overall, the day’s activities recorded impressive public participation and engagement, with many participants expressing appreciation for the voter education initiative and demonstrating an improved understanding of their civic responsibilities ahead of the forthcoming Osun State Governorship Election.

Voter Education and Enlightenment Activities in Iwo Local Government for the Forthcoming Osun State Governorship Election

Implemented by the Development Watch Network (DWN) with Funding Support from the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC)

In line with its commitment to promoting informed and active citizen participation in the forthcoming Osun State Governorship Election, the Development Watch Network (DWN), in partnership with the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), commenced voter education and enlightenment activities in Iwo Local Government Area, the focal LGA assigned to the organisation under the project.

As part of the preparatory activities, DWN produced thousands of copies of INEC-approved voter education and sensitisation materials for distribution across the Local Government Area. The organisation also procured a public address system to facilitate community engagement and sensitisation campaigns while mobilising and training its field team to ensure effective implementation of the project.

Wednesday, 8th July 2026 – Familiarisation and Stakeholder Engagement Tour

The voter education campaign commenced with a familiarisation and stakeholder engagement tour across Iwo Local Government Area on Wednesday, 8th July 2026. The objective of the tour was to gain a better understanding of the local terrain, establish relationships with key stakeholders, identify strategic locations for voter education activities, and strengthen collaboration with the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) office in Iwo.

The exercise was highly successful. The DWN Voter Education Team paid a courtesy visit to the INEC Local Government Office in Iwo, where productive discussions were held with the Electoral Officer and other officials on strategies for effective voter education. Both parties agreed to maintain close collaboration throughout the implementation period, including follow-up advocacy engagements where necessary.

The team also conducted advocacy visits to major public institutions and strategic locations, including Odo-Ori Market, Oja-Oba Market, the Palace of the Oluwo of Iwo, and Bowen University, Iwo. These visits provided opportunities to engage traditional authorities, traders, students, community leaders, and members of the public on the importance of peaceful, credible, and inclusive participation in the forthcoming governorship election.

Interactive sessions held during the market visits enabled residents to openly express their expectations and concerns regarding the electoral process. These engagements were particularly valuable as they provided firsthand insight into the prevailing perceptions of the electorate before the commencement of the intensive voter enlightenment campaign.

The major concerns consistently raised by participants included the prevalence of vote buying, the perceived impartiality of security agencies during elections, and the possibility of election-related violence. These issues were carefully documented as key field observations and will inform subsequent voter education messages aimed at promoting electoral integrity, peaceful participation, and public confidence in the electoral process.

With European Endowment For Democracy – I just got recognised as one of their top fans! 🎉

With Nigerian Women Trust Fund – I just got recognised as one of their top fans! 🎉