Osun Poll: INEC Pledges Level Playing Field, Warns Against Vote Buying, Others

• Security outfits, ethnic groups endorse Adeleke for second term 

•Osun governor did not squander any trillion naira, says spokesperson

Yinka Kolawole in Osogbo

The Osun State Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Oluwatoyin Babalola, yesterday, pledged the commitment of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to conduct a free, fair, and credible governorship election in the state, assuring all political parties that they would be treated equally under the law.

Babalola stated this  during a courtesy visit to the Correspondents’ Chapel of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ)  in Osogbo.

The REC explained that her deployment to Osun was part of routine administrative redeployment by the Commission, stressing that Resident Electoral Commissioners did not determine their places of assignment.

According to her, postings were handled strictly by INEC headquarters in Abuja.

“Posting is a regular exercise in INEC, handled by the Chairman and National Commissioners. A REC does not choose where to serve. I was previously in Ondo State and have now been posted to Osun,” she said.

Reacting to concerns and protests that trailed her assumption of duty, Babalola urged stakeholders to have confidence in the electoral system, clarifying that INEC officials were neutral actors whose responsibility was to ensure credible elections.

She stressed that INEC was not a participant in elections but an impartial manager of the process.

“INEC officials do not vote. We are not partisan actors. Our duty is to ensure a free, fair, transparent, and credible process,” she stated.

Babalola noted that electoral integrity remained the cornerstone of the Commission’s operations, adding that adherence to due process, transparency, and accountability was key to managing the pressures associated with the job.

“Pressure is part of every job, but what matters is how you manage it. For us, doing what is right and building public trust are essential,” she added.

Traditional Security Outfits, Ethnic Groups Endorse Adeleke for Second Term

Governor Ademola Adeleke’s re-election bid received a boost, yesterday, as traditional security outfits and ethnic groups endorsed him as the candidate of choice for the August 15, 2026 governorship election.

The endorsement which occurred at an elaborate event in Osogbo, saw the local security and ethnic groups take turns to announce their preference for Adeleke to continue in office beyond November 2026 and vow to vote for him massively and also defend their votes.

Convener of the event, Chief Lukman Ayodeji (aka Sango of Africa), said the endorsement was marked by the widespread support for the work that Adeleke was doing, noting that the groups came together to show that the people would always rally behind any leader that delivers for them.

Representative of Agbekoya, Chief Aremu Abiodun said the people trusted Adeleke and would reward him with an overwhelming vote in the August 15, 2026 poll.

Association of Hunters in Osun led by Oba Ogunlade Oluwasanjo assured the governor that they were backing him for a second term on the strength of his performance across sectors, vowing that they would resist any attempt to manipulate or rig the upcoming governorship poll.

The Odua Peoples Congress (OPC) through Comrade Kazeem Oriade, said it would work vigorously for the governor’s re-election, conveying the assurance of its National President, Iba Gani Adams, that every necessary support would be accorded him to succeed in the poll.

‘Adeleke Didn’t Squander Trillion Naira’

Osun State Governor, Senator Ademola Adeleke did not squander state resources as projects and programmes were managed with a mantra of value for money and within the ambit of procurement laws and due process.

Speaking in an interview on Western spring Television in Osogbo, spokesperson to the governor, Mallam Olawale Rasheed, debunked the statements credited to an opposition Chieftain, Remi Omowaiye, affirming that “projects on which state funds are spent are verifiable and visible to the people of Osun state.

“It is also an illiterate submission to accuse the state governor of spending N92 billion naira on feeding. It is a lie from the pit of hell. Such accusations stem from mischief or financial illiteracy.

“The governor’s office comprises so many agencies. It is like attributing every kobo spent at the Presidency to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu,” the spokesperson posited.