INEC: No Amount of Administrative Changes Can Override Osun

The Osun State House of Assembly has voiced strong opposition to the recent redeployment of the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Dr. Mutiu Agboke, just weeks ahead of the August 15 governorship election.

Agboke disclosed his transfer to Ondo State via one of the Commission’s WhatsApp platforms yesterday evening.

Speaking at a press conference at the House of Assembly Complex in Osogbo on Thursday, Speaker Rt. Hon. Adewale Egbedun described the redeployment as a politically motivated move. He noted that no similar transfers have been observed in Ekiti State, which holds its gubernatorial election before Osun.

Egbedun also raised concerns over potential further transfers of senior INEC officials, particularly in the Ife Ijesha Senatorial District, warning that key electoral positions might be filled by members of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

He emphasized that no administrative changes or deployments could override the will of Osun voters, Let it be clearly stated that no amount of administrative changes or deployments of interested officials will override the will of the people of Osun State.

“It has come to our notice that there has been a sudden redeployment of the Resident Electoral Commissioner of INEC in Osun State. We also have credible information that further deployments of interested individuals may target other key officials, including the Administrative Secretary, Electoral Officers, Assistant Electoral Officers, and ICT personnel across the state,” Egbedun said.

He added: “We are concerned by a deliberate pattern of actions aimed at influencing the electoral process in Osun State. It is instructive to note that Ekiti State, which precedes Osun in the electoral calendar, has not witnessed such widespread redeployments. This raises serious questions: Why Osun State?”

The Speaker claimed that the developments are linked to the influence of Governor Gboyega Oyetola, asserting that these efforts would not affect the political resolve of Osun residents.

“We have also received credible reports that, particularly in the Ife Ijesha Senatorial District, there are plans to compromise the process through the placement of APC members in critical electoral roles such as returning officers and supervisors. This is unacceptable and will not be tolerated,” he warned.

Egbedun insisted that whoever conducts elections in Osun must strictly adhere to the Constitution and electoral laws, stressing that the upcoming election must be free, fair, and credible.

He further called on the international community, development partners, and election observers to monitor the situation closely.

“As representatives of the people of Osun State, we insist on a free, fair, and credible election. The people of Osun are politically aware, vigilant, and committed to democratic values. Any attempt to undermine the credibility of the electoral process will be firmly resisted,” the Speaker concluded.
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