The Osun State House of Assembly has raised fresh concerns over the recent redeployment of the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) of the Independent National Electoral Commission in the state, Dr. Mutiu Agboke, describing the move as politically motivated ahead of the 2026 governorship election.
Addressing journalists at the Assembly Complex in Osogbo on Thursday, 9th April,2026, Speaker Adewale Egbedun alleged that the transfer of Dr. Mutiu Agboke was influenced by the former Osun State Governor, Gboyega Oyetola.
Egbedun described the redeployment as highly suspicious, noting that similar actions had not been observed in Ekiti State, which is next in the electoral calendar ahead of Osun.
“It is instructive that Ekiti State, which precedes Osun in the electoral calendar circle, has not witnessed such widespread deployments of electoral officials. This raises serious and legitimate questions, why Osun State?” he queried.
The Speaker further claimed that there were credible indications of additional transfers involving key electoral personnel, including administrative secretaries, electoral officers, assistant electoral officers, and ICT staff across the state.
He warned that some of the planned redeployments could target sensitive areas such as the Ife/Ijesa Senatorial District, alleging attempts to position individuals affiliated with the All Progressives Congress (APC) in critical roles, including returning officers and supervisors.
According to him, such moves represent a calculated effort to influence the electoral process, but stressed that they would not override the will of the people.
“No amount of administrative changes or deployments of interested officials will override the will of the people of Osun State. The people are politically conscious, vigilant, and determined to ensure that their votes count and reflect their true choice,” he said.
The Assembly emphasized that all officials assigned to conduct elections in the state must adhere strictly to constitutional provisions and electoral laws, stressing that any process that falls short of credibility would be resisted.
Egbedun also called on the international community, development partners, and election observers to closely monitor developments in Osun State as preparations intensify.
The allegations come amid growing political tension in the state, with stakeholders expressing concerns over the integrity of the electoral process ahead of the 2026 governorship election.
While the Assembly maintains that the reported actions are aimed at undermining democracy, no official response has yet been issued by INEC or representatives of the APC regarding the claims.
