By Mojisola Oladele
The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, has assured residents of Osun State of a peaceful, credible, and transparent governorship election scheduled for August 15, 2026.
INEC’s Head of Voter Education and Publicity, Mr Rufus Ariyo, and Head of Legal Department, Mr Niyi Fayanju, gave the assurance while addressing protesters on behalf of the new Resident Electoral Commissioner, REC, Mrs Oluwatoyin Babalola, who was unavoidably absent.
They said the new REC, upon assuming office, directed staff to commit fully to conducting a free, fair, and credible election.
The officials also dismissed concerns over the transfer of the former REC, Dr Mutiu Agboke, describing it as a routine administrative process unrelated to any plan to rig the election.
They urged residents to remain calm and maintain peace to ensure a successful electoral process.
Speaking during the protest, the spokesperson for the Coalition of Concerned Nigerian Citizens, Mr Rauf Sodiq, and a resident, Mr Samson Adeyemi, said the demonstration aimed to demand a free, fair, and credible election from the new REC and other stakeholders.
The protesters marched from Ataoja Bridge to the INEC headquarters in Osogbo, carrying placards with messages such as “No one will intimidate you on Election Day,” “INEC, no to technical rigging,” and “Osun State will not accept backdoor rigging.”
Edited by Maxwell Oyekunle
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