INEC: The votes of the people will decide Osun 2026 guber poll

With the 2026 Osun State Governorship election set for August 15, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has assured voters that the outcome of the contest will be determined solely by the votes cast by citizens, stressing that the commission is fully prepared to manage a transparent, credible, and free electoral process.

The Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Dr. Mutiu Agboke, in a robust conversation with Frontline, a current affairs programme on Eagle 102.5 FM, Ilese-Ijebu, Ogun State, on Thursday, emphasized that INEC has been conducting extensive preparations for the elections, ranging from voter education, corps member training, security collaboration, and technological readiness through BVAS and IREV platforms, all while adhering to the new Electoral Act 2026.

According to Dr. Agboke, the final list of candidates has been published, and political campaigns formally commenced on March 11. “Campaign stage is going on. Anywhere you go now in Osun State, you see the barriers, jamboree of activities, jamboree of the political rallies, and procession,” he said. He stressed that INEC’s internal preparations are continuing alongside the visible campaign activities, with every department actively engaged to ensure readiness.

He elaborated on the Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) at the ward level, stating, “Apart from CVR that we are doing, INEC will devolve registration of CVR to the ward level. So, for that ward level, we are going to start around next week for the purpose of our election, without prejudice to the ongoing CVR. More people have the opportunity to participate at the ward level and I know that a lot of them have been coming out to participate in this mission.”

Dr. Agboke emphasized that this approach is designed to maximize participation and ensure that more residents have the opportunity to register to vote ahead of the polls.

He also highlighted the ongoing in-house training, saying, “Of course, the corps members are the pillars of our activities and, you know, we cannot but continue to ensure that they grasp the details of what we are doing. So, they are part and parcel of this training and they will continue to be, for the election.” He underscored that corps members are not only being trained but strategically prepared for deployment, addressing concerns about last-minute notifications or uncertainty among participants.

■ Corps Members and Strategic Shortlisting

Dr. Agboke provided further clarity on the role of corps members and the shortlisting process.

“The issue of not knowing or getting to have the list late is about the issue of shortlisting. Shortlisting is not the same thing as training. After you have trained everybody, you have to shortlist those who have participated in the training to be able to know who are capable of being engaged,” he explained.

He reassured that corps members are fully aware of their responsibilities and the locations where they will be deployed, adding, “They know that they are going to work during the election, yes. But the list will not be released on time for some other strategic reasons. But definitely they know where they are going to work and they have been working on that.”

This, according to Agboke underscores INEC’s structured approach to election staffing and capacity building.

■ Political Parties and Legal Framework

The REC confirmed that fourteen political parties will participate in the 2026 Osun governorship election.

“This process has commenced long before the newly registered ones. So it goes without saying that they will not necessarily be part of it,” he said, pointing out that preparations began well before the registration of new parties, ensuring that the recognized parties are fully accounted for.

Regarding the electoral legal framework, Dr. Agboke stated unequivocally, “The existing law now is Electoral Act 2026. That’s the point I’m making. Some things are general knowledge. It’s not just about INEC or the lawyers alone. You should not be talking about the 2022 election because that is no more the law. The law now is 2026.” He also mentioned that while detailed election guidelines are still being finalized, the commission is currently operating under subsistence guidelines to ensure continuity of operations and compliance with the law.

■ INEC and Election-Related Litigations

Dr. Mutiu Agboke also addressed concerns about the role of INEC in election-related court cases, explaining that the commission’s involvement is procedural and does not suggest bias toward any candidate or party.

According to him, “I don’t know what to know. But if you want to know why INEC is being joined, as a lawyer, if you file a case, and you know that the outcome of your case will affect Mr. A, B, C, D. If you don’t join there, whatever you get out of the judgment becomes negatory. It becomes negatory because you cannot make use of that judgment effectively. So without making this negatory, all you need to do is to join all the necessary parties. And that is why, for anybody, for the electorate, for anybody to stay true, you need to join the electoral management body that conducted the election. So that INEC is joined is not, that’s not the reason why there is no, what do you call it now? That’s not why there is no equal ground for anybody to participate.

“The role of INEC is to conduct the election. And it is not correct that because somebody went to tribunal or court, that election was not free and fair. Because the right to access court, the right to access judiciary, the right to access tribunal, is a constitutional right. It is a constitutional right which cannot be prevented by anybody. Section 6 of the Constitution is clear. So for me, joining INEC in lawsuit does not mean anything at all. Does not mean anything. It’s a matter of law. It’s a matter of procedure.”

■ Technology in Elections: BVAS and IREV

Addressing the use of technology, Dr. Agboke clarified the functions of IREV and BVAS systems, emphasizing transparency.

“IREV is for viewing, for transparency. Whatever you put there is for you to view and see and confirm. There is nothing like electronic collation. The only thing you have is what you call electronic transmission. I prefer to refer to it as upload of the results into the IREV,” he said.

He further explained that the collation of results will remain manual, moving sequentially from polling units to wards, local governments, and state levels, ensuring accountability at every stage.

He also detailed training for technical contingencies, stating, “All the gamut of training that need to be taken through, including issues such as BVAS or network glitches, have been covered by our technical department, particularly our ICT. Whoever has any problem knows whom to contact.”

This ensures that personnel are equipped to manage potential technological challenges during the voting process.

■ Collaboration with Security Agencies

On the issue of security, Dr. Agboke emphasized INEC’s partnership with law enforcement to prevent disruptions, violence, or ballot manipulation.

“Securities, they are the ones that know the flashpoints. They have identified them and definitely they are going to work around it to be able to do the right thing,” he said, highlighting the intelligence-led nature of security planning.

He underscored that INEC focuses on logistics while security agencies enforce law and order.

“Before the election is conducted, we are going to sit down, we are going to review, do your own bit to carry out this, carry out that. INEC makes sure that material arrives on time. Security makes sure that nobody disturbs the process. So, if there is a lag in any aspect, it is that agency’s neck you should remove, not INEC,” he said, clarifying the delineation of responsibilities.

■ Assuring Free and Fair Elections

Responding to public concerns about credibility and past irregularities, Dr. Agboke stressed, “You did not get it. And that thing is that you said that it was a REC that announced a result in Adamawa. It’s not correct, sir. It was the returning officer that announced the results. Secondly, you also said that somebody will win the election and will announce another person. That thing is also not correct. When there was an attempt to do that in one of the states, the commission came in immediately and it was corrected. But the bottom line is that the real thing should be done. The correct thing should be done. Credibility should be given to the process. And we are assuring you that, that is not negotiable.”

■ Vote Buying and Multi-Stakeholder Accountability

According to Dr. Mutiu Agboke, when vote buying or other irregularities are being carried out by other agencies, INEC should not be held responsible for their actions.

He emphasised that election is a multi-stakeholder activity, and each agency has distinct roles to play in ensuring a smooth process.

“So, when that process is being carried out by Others, should INEC head be the one to be removed? I’ve just told you the collaboration that we have with the security. That we conduct the election does not mean anything. I’ve just told you, election is a multi-stakeholder activity. All other agencies, possibly, they are big. So, don’t just put everything on the desk of INEC that because you are the one organizing the election. It’s not correct. Before election is conducted, we are going to sit down, we are going to review, do your own bit to carry out this, carry out that. INEC make sure that material arrives on time. Security, make sure that nobody disturbs the process. Make sure everybody IS GOOD. So, if that happens in the election day, is it the REC that will be held responsible? no, no, no, no. Let’s look at the responsibility of each individual agent that must be carried out in line with the rules of engagement.”

He noted that enforcement is primarily the responsibility of security agencies, while INEC monitors and ensures that the election process is transparent and safeguarded.
Abgoke also reiterated the multi-stakeholder nature of elections, stating, “Election is a multistakeholder activity. All the stakeholders must slip and face the same direction. Once there is disparity in the direction you are facing, then that election is bound to hit the road.”

■ Voter Education and PVC Distribution

On voter engagement, Dr. Agboke highlighted INEC’s outreach efforts, explaining, “Voter education is everywhere. We are moving from one local government to the other. So, the level of our engagement is on the high side. Our people are very much aware about the activities of the commission.”

He also assured that Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) will reach all eligible voters in phases before the election. “The commission is going to print everything. You will get your card before the election,” he said, accenting INEC’s commitment to enabling universal voter participation.

■ Assurance to the Electorate

Dr. Agboke stressed the fundamental role of voters in determining the outcome of the election. “Truly nothing would determine who wins the election except the vote of the people. The vote of the people will determine who wins that election,” he said, urging all residents to exercise their constitutional right and actively participate in shaping the future of Osun State in 2026.

The 2026 Osun governorship race is marked by defections, shifting alliances, and internal party tensions. Incumbent Governor. Sen. Ademola Adeleke, who left the PDP for the ruling Accord Party, faces a highly competitive contest against APC’s Munirudeen Bola Oyebamiji and candidates from twelve other parties. Adeleke’s defection has realigned political loyalties, while disputes and legal challenges within and across parties have heightened the stakes for the August election.

By INEC’s final list, the key actors for the August 15 poll include Ademola Adeleke (Accord Party), Munirudeen Bola Oyebamiji (APC), and representatives from thirteen other political parties. The political terrain is tense, with past defections from the PDP to Accord strengthening Adeleke’s camp, while APC consolidates support from defectors from smaller parties. Internal party disputes, parallel primaries, and legal challenges are shaping the narrative as stakeholders position themselves for a tightly contested election.

Analysts note that the competitive environment reflects broader dynamics of party loyalty, grassroots mobilization, and strategic alliances.

The stage is now set for an election that, as INEC emphasizes, will reflect the will of the electorate, with citizen votes ultimately determining the next governor of Osun State.

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