INEC Denies Registering Underage Voters In Adeleke’s LG
The Independent National Electoral Commission in Osun State has dismissed insinuations that underage people were registered as voters in the Ede North Local Government Area of the state.
Osun INEC’s Public Affairs Officer, Musa Olurode, made the rebuttal in a statement obtained in Osogbo on Monday.
The Commission in the statement “noted with concern a social media post circulating on Facebook alleging that underage persons dressed in school uniforms were registered as voters at the INEC Local Government Office in Ede North on Friday, 6th February, 2026.”
It, however, refuted the allegation, describing it as “false and misleading.”
The statement further read, “While it is correct that some students of YTD Grammar School, Ojoro Ede, Osun State, in uniforms were brought to INEC Ede North Local Government Office on the said date with the intention of registering, the Electoral Officer and other officials on duty, acting in strict compliance with the law, refused them entry into the office premises. Consequently, no underage person was registered.”
Reiterating that, in line with the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended) and the Electoral Act, 2022, only Nigerian citizens who have attained the age of 18 years are eligible to be registered as voters, Osun INEC stated that its officials are under clear instructions to enforce this provision without exception.
The Commission assured the people of Osun that it will not engage in, condone, or permit any action capable of compromising the credibility and integrity of the voter registration process.
It urged members of the public to “disregard the said social media post and to rely on information from official INEC Osun State communication channels for accurate and verified updates on its activities.”
It also called on stakeholders, including parents, guardians, school authorities, and community leaders, to support INEC by sensitising young persons on the legal requirements for voter registration.
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.
