Osun poll: Amupitan vows full weight of law against trouble makers

Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, Prof. Joash Amupitan, has expressed grave concern regarding the level of insecurity in Osun State as the August 15, 2026 governorship election approaches.

He issued a caution to political leaders and their supporters as the Commission collaborated with the National Peace Committee (NPC), security agencies, traditional rulers, and 14 competing political parties to sign a Peace Accord in preparation for the Osun State Governorship Election.

During the signing event in Osogbo, Amupitan, SAN, indicated that the Commission had successfully completed 11 tasks outlined in its Timetable and Schedule of Activities, with only the conclusion of campaigns at midnight on August 13 and the commencement of polls on August 15 remaining.

He revealed that the Commission would be deployed across 30 Local Government Areas and the Modakeke Area Office, encompassing 332 Registration Areas and 3,763 Polling Units, with a verified Register of Voters comprising 2,339,233 eligible voters following the Automated Biometric Identification System (ABIS) exercise.

Amupitan noted that 322,822 Permanent Voter Cards, which account for 62 percent of newly registered voters, had been collected by the end of primary distribution. He added that the collection period at all Local Government Area offices had been extended to Friday, July 31, 2026, to promote inclusivity.

The INEC Chairman expressed his concerns regarding the security landscape leading up to the election, asserting that the Commission would not permit the democratic will of the populace to be undermined by fear or coercion.

He emphasized that INEC was profoundly troubled by reports of violence and intimidation in various regions of the state, characterizing insecurity as a direct threat to the integrity of the ballot.

Amupitan stated that the Commission had adjusted its security approach from reactive monitoring to proactive prevention, establishing a strong collaboration through the Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security (ICCES) to implement intelligence-driven security measures at every polling unit and collation center.

He said INEC was working closely with the Police and the Armed Forces to protect its staff, materials and voters, and warned that any attempt to disrupt the election would be met with the full weight of the law.

Regarding the theft of uncollected PVCs in Okuku, Odo-Otin Local Government Area, and Ife Central, the Chairman reassured the public that the stolen cards were non-functional, as accreditation could not occur without live biometric verification via the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS).

He stated that the serial numbers of the stolen cards were being blacklisted, law enforcement was closing in on the offenders, and affected voters were being provided with replacement cards or permitted to download digital verification PVCs.

Amupitan indicated that the Commission had incorporated the Electoral Risk Management (ERM) framework into its planning to facilitate systematic collection, analysis, and monitoring of risk indicators across socio-political and security dimensions of the electoral process.

He noted that in collaboration with ICCES and other stakeholders, the Commission had identified localized risk corridors, recognized emerging threats, and prioritized interventions, especially in Atakumosa East and West, Boripe, Ede North and South, Ife Central, Ifedayo, Ila, Osogbo, Ifelodun, and Oriade Local Government Areas, which he referred to as hotspots that would receive specialized, high-visibility security deployment.

He further mentioned that security forces had been given strict operational directives to counter any form of violence or attempts at ballot disruption while ensuring complete professional neutrality.

Concerning vote buying, the INEC Chairman stated that the Commission was collaborating closely with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), and the Office of the Attorney-General of the Federation to deploy plain-cloth financial intelligence officers around polling unit perimeters.

He cautioned that anyone found engaging in vote buying or selling, whether through cash or digital transfers, would face arrest and prosecution under the Electoral Act 2026.

Amupitan said 4,427 BVAS devices, including a 15 per cent operational reserve, had been configured for the election, and that all polling unit result sheets would be uploaded to the INEC Result Viewing Portal (IReV) immediately after voting closes. He announced that a statewide Mock Accreditation Exercise would hold on Saturday, 1 August 2026, across 12 Local Government Areas, four from each senatorial district, and invited candidates, party agents, observers and the media to witness the exercise.

He said the Commission had also integrated assistive devices across polling locations, including Braille ballot guides, magnifying glasses, EC40H posters for the hearing-impaired, and priority voting queues for persons with disabilities, pregnant women and the elderly.

Delivering the welcome address on behalf of the NPC Chairman, General Abdulsalami Abubakar, Cardinal John Onaiyekan appealed to political parties to conduct their campaigns peacefully and to honour the accord in both spirit and letter, describing it as more than a ceremonial ritual.

Representing the Inspector-General of Police, Tunji Disu, Assistant Inspector-General Fasuba Akinyele Olabode assured residents of adequate police deployment across the state and pledged that officers would remain neutral throughout the process, drawing a comparison with the peaceful conduct of the Ekiti State election in June.

In his remarks, the Ooni of Ife, Oba Enitan Ogunwusi, commended INEC’s independence and urged political actors to shun violence, describing Osun State as greater than the interests of any individual or party.

The event was attended by the Osun State Governor, the National Chairman of the Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC), INEC National Commissioners, the Resident Electoral Commissioner for Osun State, other Senior Management team from INEC, traditional rulers, religious leaders, representatives of civil society, and Security agencies.

The INEC Chairman and his entourage also made two quick stops at the INEC Osogbo LGA office, and Ede-South Local government office as part of the readiness assessment tour. They were received by the Electoral Officers and other staff of the LGA offices.

Amupitan announced that 4,427 BVAS devices, which include a 15 percent operational reserve, have been set up for the election. He stated that all result sheets from polling units would be uploaded to the INEC Result Viewing Portal (IReV) immediately after the conclusion of voting. Furthermore, he revealed that a statewide Mock Accreditation Exercise is scheduled for Saturday, 1 August 2026, across 12 Local Government Areas, with four from each senatorial district, and extended an invitation to candidates, party agents, observers, and the media to attend the exercise.

He also mentioned that the Commission has incorporated assistive devices at polling locations, such as Braille ballot guides, magnifying glasses, EC40H posters for individuals with hearing impairments, and priority voting queues for persons with disabilities, pregnant women, and the elderly.

In delivering the welcome address on behalf of the NPC Chairman, General Abdulsalami Abubakar, Cardinal John Onaiyekan urged political parties to conduct their campaigns in a peaceful manner and to adhere to the accord in both spirit and letter, emphasizing that it is more than just a ceremonial obligation.

Assistant Inspector-General Fasuba Akinyele Olabode, representing the Inspector-General of Police, assured residents of sufficient police presence throughout the state and committed to maintaining neutrality among officers during the process, drawing parallels with the peaceful execution of the Ekiti State election in June.

In his address, the Ooni of Ife, Oba Enitan Ogunwusi, praised INEC’s autonomy and called on political figures to reject violence, asserting that Osun State’s interests surpass those of any individual or political party.

The event was attended by the Osun State Governor, the National Chairman of the Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC), INEC National Commissioners, the Resident Electoral Commissioner for Osun State, other senior management from INEC, traditional leaders, religious figures, civil society representatives, and security agencies.