Osun 2026: Political Will Crucial To Peaceful Elections — REC
The Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Osun State, Dr. Mutiu Agboke, has emphasised the need for political parties, civil society organizations (CSOs), and other stakeholders to demonstrate unwavering commitment to peaceful, credible, and transparent elections ahead of the 2026 governorship poll in the state.
Dr. Agboke made this call on Tuesday during INEC’s first quarterly consultative meeting held at INEC headquarters in Osogbo, where he addressed stakeholders on the commission’s level of preparedness and the vital role of collective responsibility in ensuring the integrity of the electoral process.
“The conduct of free, fair, inclusive, and transparent elections requires not only unambiguous legal frameworks but also a clear-cut understanding of the electoral processes and procedures by the public, as well as political will,” Agboke stated.
He noted that while INEC had recorded significant milestones in reforming Nigeria’s electoral system through the deployment of technology, the success of the process ultimately rests on the cooperation and sincerity of political actors.
“One of the most transformative of these innovations is the Bi-modal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) and the INEC Result Viewing Portal (IReV), purposely dedicated for transparency in the management of election results,” he said.
Highlighting some of the achievements made possible by BVAS, the REC pointed out that the technology had helped curb electoral fraud, reduce human interference in elections, enhance transparency, and restore public confidence in the democratic process.
“The BVAS is not merely a technical device; it is a symbol of our collective resolve to protect the sanctity of our vote.
“We must therefore work together to understand its operationalizations at every stage of its deployment, its proper deployment, usage, for public enlightenment,” he explained.
Dr. Agboke stressed that INEC’s readiness for the 2026 governorship election also hinges on continuous stakeholder engagement, support for technological innovations, and commitment to civic responsibility.
“As we prepare for the 2026 Osun Governorship Election, it is imperative that all stakeholders—political parties, CSOs, the media, security agencies, and indeed, the electorate—understand, support, and actively engage with the technologies that will shape the process,” he said.
He further charged political parties to promote internal democracy and peaceful conduct, while encouraging CSOs to sustain their roles in advocacy, election observation, and voter education.
“Beyond the technology itself, success depends on public trust, political cooperation, and civic responsibility. Political parties must continue to demonstrate a commitment to peaceful conduct, internal democracy, and fair play. Civil society organizations must maintain their advocacy, observation, and voter education roles,” the REC concluded.
Hafsoh Isiaq is a graduate of Linguistics. An avid writer committed to creative, high-quality research and news reportage. She has considerable experience in writing and reporting across a variety of platforms including print and online.
