The Osun Online Publishers Association (OOPA) on Thursday hosted the Honourable Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Dr. Mutiu Olaleke Agboke, at the 9th edition of its Media Parley, where critical electoral matters ahead of the 2026 Osun governorship election took center stage.
Held at the association’s Secretariat in the Ajegunle area of Osogbo, the event themed “INEC’s Preparation Towards Osun #2026GovernorshipElection” served as a platform for open dialogue between the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and media stakeholders in the state.
Dr. Agboke, in his address, reassured citizens of INEC’s commitment to delivering free, fair, and credible elections. He disclosed a range of reforms and operational strategies being implemented to boost electoral integrity, especially as voter registration and PVC-related activities intensify across Osun.
Key Highlights from the Parley:
-
Election Offenders to Face Justice:
The REC revealed that six offenders from previous elections have already been prosecuted. He stressed that INEC, in synergy with security agencies, will continue to enforce the law against electoral offenders. -
Handling Factional Candidates:
Addressing the issue of conflicting candidate submissions by political parties, Dr. Agboke affirmed INEC’s strict adherence to legal provisions, stating that internal party conflicts will not compromise the commission’s constitutional duties. -
Tackling Vote Buying:
Calling it a “threat to democracy,” the REC announced that stronger surveillance systems and collaborations with anti-corruption agencies are being deployed to clamp down on vote trading. -
Why Osun Leads in Online Registration:
Osun’s top performance in online voter registration, according to the REC, is due to early sensitisation campaigns and effective grassroots mobilisation. -
Combating Double Registration:
Dr. Agboke reiterated that INEC’s tech-driven system remains effective in detecting and blocking duplicate registrations. -
Boosting Youth and Women Participation:
Advocating for greater inclusion, the REC urged young people to leverage their numbers and influence the electoral process. He also reaffirmed INEC’s support for the 35% Affirmative Action policy to encourage women’s political participation. -
Other Operational Focus Areas:
The session also touched on logistics for remote polling units, real-time result uploads, support for Persons Living with Disabilities (PWDs), and continued cleansing of the voter register.
In his welcome address, OOPA Chairman praised INEC’s transparency and its willingness to partner with the media. He emphasized the association’s dedication to fair and responsible journalism, especially in the buildup to the 2026 elections.
The parley featured an interactive Q&A session where journalists engaged the REC on emerging electoral concerns. Dr. Agboke assured continued stakeholder engagement as INEC marches toward the successful conduct of the 2026 Osun governorship election.
Post a Comment