Reported by: Ijeoma G | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
Civil society organisations in Osun State have formally petitioned the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Joash Ojo Amupitan, over what they described as irregular and potentially politically influenced staff redeployments ahead of the state’s forthcoming governorship election scheduled for August 15, 2026.
The petition followed a peaceful demonstration held in Osogbo on Thursday, where members of the Coalition of Concerned Nigerian Citizens gathered to express concerns about recent personnel changes within the electoral body. The group said the redeployments raised questions about neutrality, transparency, and the integrity of the electoral process in the state.
According to the coalition, the pattern of postings within INEC’s Osun State offices appeared selective and lacked clarity, particularly in the assignment of officials to key positions at both local government offices and the state headquarters. They argued that such decisions, coming months before a major election, could undermine public confidence in the commission’s preparedness.
In the petition jointly signed by the coalition’s chairman, Musa Akinkunmi, and spokesperson, Oluomo Success, the group alleged that individuals perceived to have political affiliations were being placed in sensitive electoral roles. They claimed this development created concerns about impartiality in the conduct of the upcoming poll.
The group stated that it was “strongly opposed” to what it described as non-transparent redeployments, arguing that such actions could affect trust in the electoral process if not properly reviewed and explained. It further suggested that reports from within the state indicated the involvement of individuals with known political sympathies in strategic positions.
The petitioners also compared the situation in Osun with other states where elections are approaching or have recently been conducted, including Ekiti and Anambra, arguing that similar large-scale staff movements were not recorded in those locations. They questioned why Osun was experiencing what they described as extensive reshuffling when other states did not undergo comparable changes.
Beyond calling for an explanation, the coalition demanded an immediate suspension of the redeployment exercise. They also urged INEC to conduct an independent review of all recent postings within the state to ensure compliance with principles of neutrality and fairness.
In addition, the group called for a transparent audit of voter transfer activities in Osun State, warning that any perceived irregularities could erode public trust in the electoral process and potentially affect voter confidence ahead of the election.
The petition forms part of growing scrutiny over INEC’s administrative decisions in the build-up to the governorship election, as stakeholders increasingly pay attention to staffing, logistics, and voter management processes.
Meanwhile, the recent redeployment of Osun State Resident Electoral Commissioner, Mutiu Agboke, to Ondo State has also continued to generate political reactions. The movement has been interpreted differently by various stakeholders, with some viewing it as routine administrative restructuring, while others see it as potentially politically sensitive given the timing.
The Accord Party in Osun has raised concerns over the timing of the transfer, suggesting that it could have implications for electoral preparedness. However, the All Progressives Congress in the state has dismissed such claims, stating that internal personnel decisions within INEC should not be politicised or misinterpreted.
INEC has yet to issue an extensive public response to the petition, but the commission has in the past maintained that staff redeployments are part of routine administrative processes aimed at improving efficiency and ensuring effective election management.
As preparations continue toward the August 2026 governorship poll, attention is expected to remain on INEC’s internal arrangements, stakeholder confidence, and broader concerns about transparency in the electoral process.
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