Osun State’s outgoing Resident Electoral Commissioner of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Dr Mutiu Agboke, has urged electoral staff to ensure that the will of voters determines the outcome of elections. He delivered the charge during his farewell address at a handover ceremony in Osogbo on Tuesday.
Agboke cautioned staff against involvement in any form of electoral malpractice, stressing the importance of professionalism and integrity in their duties. He reminded them that INEC is constitutionally mandated to deliver credible elections and that voters must be assured their ballots will count.
“Any process that determines election winners outside the will of the electorate would undermine democratic values and increase voter apathy,” Agboke warned. He urged staff to uphold the ethics of their profession and resist undue influence, cautioning that those who compromise their integrity risk being discarded once their usefulness ends.
Reflecting on his tenure, which began in November 2022, Agboke acknowledged mixed perceptions of his leadership style. Some viewed him as too strict, others as too lenient, but he insisted his approach was always aimed at ensuring due process and credible elections. “If I die today and resurrect, it is the same method I will adopt,” he said.
The outgoing commissioner expressed gratitude to staff for their cooperation and to stakeholders for their contributions to the electoral process in Osun. He called for continued collaboration to sustain credible elections in the state.
Administrative Secretary Mrs Victoria Temitayo Adelusi described Agboke as a transformative administrator who elevated the commission’s performance. She highlighted Osun’s consistent third-place ranking nationwide in the ongoing Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) exercise, attributing the achievement to his work ethic. “INEC Osun State will miss your presence and take pride in your legacy,” she said, wishing him success in his redeployment to Ondo State.
Dr Agboke’s departure marks the end of a tenure defined by a commitment to electoral integrity and professionalism, leaving a benchmark for his successor to uphold.
