2026: Group Petitions Amupitan, Raises Concerns Over Transfer Of INEC Staff In Osun
•Demands Suspension, Review Of Postings
The Coalition of Concerned Nigerian Citizens, have petitioned the chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, Prof. Joash Amupitan, over the redeployment of staff of the commission in Osun State ahead of the August 15 gubernatorial election.
The group which had earlier held a peaceful protest, submitted the petition at the headquarters of the commission in Osogbo, on Thursday, alleging that people who have affiliations with the All Progressives Congress were put into strategic electoral positions across key local government and state officse.
The petition which was signed by the coalition chairman, Musa Akinkunmi and spokesperson, Oluomo Success, said the development raised questions about the integrity of the entire electoral process in the state.
The petitioners, also questioned why similar reshuffling has not taken place in Ekiti State where a gubernatorial election is scheduled to hold before that of Osun State.
The petition partly read, “We strongly decry the ongoing wave of postings and redeployments of INEC staff within Osun State, which appear to be selective, opaque, and overtly partisan in nature. Credible reports suggest a deliberate pattern of planting individuals with known affiliations or sympathies toward the All Progressives Congress (APC) into sensitive and strategic electoral positions across key local governments and state offices.
“It is both troubling and suspicious that similar large-scale staff reshuffling has not been observed in Ekiti State, where elections are scheduled ahead of Osun, nor was such a measure implemented during the recently concluded election in Anambra State.
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“This selective application of administrative actions fuels legitimate concerns that Osun State is being unfairly targeted for electoral manipulation, thereby eroding public trust in INEC’s neutrality.”
The petitioners demanded an immediate suspension and review of all recent staff postings within Osun INEC offices and a transparent and independent audit of voter transfer activities in the state.
The group also sought a “public address by the INEC National Chairman, Prof. Joash Amupitan, to reassure the people of Osun State and Nigerians at large of INEC’s commitment to neutrality and electoral integrity.”
The group, warned against any attempt to manipulate the forthcoming election in Osun, noting that such an attempt would be firmly resisted by the people.
“We unequivocally warn against any scheme designed to compromise the electoral process. The consequences of such actions could be far-reaching and detrimental to democratic stability.”
Olamilekan Adigun is a graduate of Mass Communication with years of experience in journalism embedded in uncovering human interest stories. He also prioritises accuracy and factual reportage of issues.
