The Osun State House of Assembly has raised concerns over recent staff movements within the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in the state, warning that the developments could undermine the integrity of upcoming elections. Speaking at a press conference in Osogbo on Thursday, Speaker Adewale Egbedun said the sudden redeployment of Dr. Mutiu Agboke, the Resident Electoral Commissioner for Osun, had drawn attention due to the lack of clear justification.
Lawmakers disclosed that they had received reports suggesting further redeployments of key electoral personnel were being considered, including Administrative Secretaries, Electoral Officers, Assistant Electoral Officers, and ICT staff across the state. The Assembly described the moves as potentially disruptive and called for transparency in the process.
The Independent National Electoral Commission later confirmed the redeployment of Dr. Agboke, a decision that came amid petitions to INEC’s chairman, Prof. Joash Amupitan, over alleged partisanship. Both the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) had previously demanded his redeployment ahead of the 2026 Osun governorship election.
The APC in Osun State has since distanced itself from the controversy, stating it had no involvement in INEC’s internal affairs. In a statement issued by Kola Olabisi, the party’s Director of Media and Information, the APC described the Assembly’s allegations as unfounded and lacking evidence. The party emphasized that staff redeployments fall within INEC’s statutory responsibilities and are guided by existing electoral laws.
The APC accused the lawmakers of politicizing administrative actions within the electoral body and diverting attention from governance issues. The party linked the controversy to broader political developments in the state, noting that preparations for the August 2026 governorship election were intensifying among various stakeholders.
Reaffirming its commitment to lawful political engagement, the APC urged the public to disregard the allegations, describing them as baseless and unsupported by empirical evidence. The party also called for INEC to be allowed to carry out its duties independently, without external interference or political pressure.
The Assembly’s concerns highlight growing tensions ahead of the 2026 election, with stakeholders closely watching developments within the electoral commission. As the political climate heats up, the independence and impartiality of INEC remain central to maintaining public confidence in the electoral process.
