Osun 2026: INEC affirms collaboration with security agencies to end vote trading

News Update

THE Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) in Osun state, Dr. Mutiu Agboke, has called for enhanced collaboration between Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and security agencies to ensure free, fair and credible elections in 2026 gubernatorial election.

Mr Agboke made the call in Osogbo at the 9th edition of the Osun Online Publishers Association media Parley, on Thursday August 28th, 2025.

Dr Agboke stated that they collaborating with anti-graft agencies is going to be intact to put an end to electoral offences, vote trading and the prompt prosecution of electoral offenders.

“Vote buying is a threat to democracy, we are adopting stronger monitoring mechanisms and collaborating with EFCC and ICPC to curb the menace”, he said

He further assures the journalists of INEC’s commitment to credible, transparent, and inclusive elections. He highlighted the commission’s ongoing reforms and practical steps to strengthen electoral integrity ahead of the poll.

He also noted that election offenders will face the full weight of the law.

Youth Engagement

Addressing youth engagement, he observed, “Youth campaign engagement and reengagement often reduce them to mere tools for elections. Many of those arrested for electoral offences are of parliamentary age. Much of the violence we see today is youth-led, which is why the media must remain active in sensitization.” He therefore encouraged youths to leverage their numbers to shape the electoral process.

On Political Party Primaries

He said the issue of factional governorship candidates will be managed and no faction will exist. “We are constantly having engagement with all the political parties”.

On Women Participation In Politics

Agboke encouraged women to stop negative narration against themselves.

Women are prosperous and active around, He said.