Group Petitions INEC Over Osun REC Transfer, ‘Wave Of Postings’, Alleges Bias Ahead Of Gov’ship Election

A civil society organisation in Osun, Coalition of Concerned Nigeria Citizens, (CCNC), on Thursday, stormed the headquarters of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Osogbo, to demand the clarification on the ongoing wave of postings and redeployments of INEC within Osun, which according to them appear to be selective and overtly partisan in nature.

The concerned citizens said, if what they termed as disturbing developments within the commission, is left unchecked, it pose a grave threat to the credibility, transparency and peaceful conduct of the forthcoming governorship election in the state.

Recall that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), had recently redeployed the Osun Resident Electoral Commissioner, Dr Mutiu Agboke, to Ondo State ahead of the August 15 gubernatorial election.

The rights activists under the aegis of Coalition of Concerned Nigeria Citizens, in a petition titled: “Urgent Demand for Transparency, Neutrality, and Credibility in the Conduct of the 2026 Osun State Election” which was signed by Comrade Oluomo Success, Comrade Shayo, Comrade Hassan Tobi and Comrade Musa Akinkunmi, submitted the petition at the INEC headquarters in Osogbo, Osun State capital.

In the petition addressed to the INEC Chairman, Prof. Joash Amupitan, the members of civil society organisations, raised concerns over the recent transfer of the Dr. Agboke to Ondo State, alleging that the redeployment of the REC at a period close to the governorship election in the state raises questions about transparency, describing the move as suspicious.

After the submission of the petition, the concerned citizens staged a peaceful protest at the entrance of the INEC displaying placards with various inscriptions such as “Give us Reason for the Transfer,” “Stop Partisan Transfer of INEC Staff,” “All We Want is Free And Fair Election,” “Rigging will Never Have Its Way in Osun,” among others.

The petition reads; “We write to you with a deep sense of urgency and patriotic concern regarding disturbing developments within the Osun State office of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), which, if left unchecked, pose a grave threat to the credibility, transparency, and peaceful conduct of the forthcoming Osun State election.

“We strongly decry the ongoing wave of postings and redeployments of INEC staff within Osun State, which appear to be selective, opaque, and overtly partisan in nature. Credible reports suggest a deliberate pattern of planting individuals with known affiliations or sympathies toward the All Progressives Congress (APC) into sensitive and strategic electoral positions across key local governments and state offices.

“Let it be clearly stated: any attempt, whether subtle or overt, to manipulate the Osun State election will be firmly resisted by the people. Osun citizens are vigilant, informed, and determined to defend the sanctity of their votes.

“In light of the above, we hereby demand the following:

“An immediate suspension and review of all recent staff postings within Osun INEC offices, a transparent and independent audit of voter transfer activities in the state.

“A public address by the INEC National Chairman, Prof. Joash Amupitan, to reassure the people of Osun State and Nigerians at large of INEC’s commitment to neutrality and electoral integrity.

“A firm and unequivocal guarantee that the Osun State election will be conducted in a free, fair, transparent, and credible manner without manipulation, intimidation, or undue influence.

Speaking after submitting the petition, CCNC spokesperson, Rahufu Sodiq Popularly known as Oluomo success, said the organisation was worried about the timing and circumstances surrounding the REC transfer.

“We are here today to submit a petition to INEC about the transfer of the Osun Resident Electoral Commissioner to Ondo State. This development has generated a lot of questions in this hour of election in Osun State,” he said.

Sodiq added that while the group gathered that the transfer followed petitions from political parties, including the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP)

“If a petition alleges that a REC is partisan, what findings were made to establish the claim? That is our concern. We are not interested in political games, but in the credibility of the electoral process,” he stated.

Echoing similar views, Comrade Olusayo Babawale Ogunleye, the mobilisation Secretary of Coalition of Nigerian Concerned Citizens said they petitioned the electoral umpire to demand transparency and review of all recent staff posting within INEC offices in Osun State.

He said, they also demanded a public address by the INEC Chairman, public assurance and accountability that forthcoming elections will be conducted in a free, fair, and credible manner without manipulation, intimidation or undue influence among others.