The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, Resident Electoral Commissioner for Osun State, Dr Mutiu Agboke has revealed that the focus of the electoral umpire is the 2026 gubernatorial election in the state.
Agboke also hinted that in order for success in the polls to be achieved, there is need to reorientate the people’s perception about what electoral matters.
The Osun INEC boss gave this hint as he received a delegation of the National Orientation Agency, NOA, Osun State Directorate led by the State Director, Stephen Adefarasin Adebiyi who were on a familiarisation visit to the INEC Osun State Office, Osogbo on Tuesday.
While welcoming the delegation, Agboke, who described NOA as one of the pillars of success in elections conducted by INEC in the country, emphasised the importance of continuous collaboration ahead of future elections, particularly the Osun 2026 gubernatorial election and 2027 general elections.
He said, “My focus for the Osun 2026 gubernatorial election is that we need to reorientate the people’s perception about what election is.
“NOA is one of the pillars of success of any INEC conducted election. Particularly for me, I have used NOA effectively and our story has been very successful. In Osun State, it will not be an exception.
“Towards the 2026 gubernatorial election and 2027 general elections, we should be able to do more than what we have done.”
Looking ahead, Agboke mentioned the forthcoming gubernatorial election in the state and emphasised the need to uphold the agency’s mandate during election advocacy.
“Our focus majorly is towards the 2026 guber election. We are waiting for the timetable and hopefully by June we hope that the Osun guber election timetable will be out.
“In our advocacy, we must stand by our mandate and we must allow the people’s voice to be heard during the election,” he said.
The REC added that, “The efficacy of NOA is about the ability of the person in charge to showcase the mandate of NOA. You are the one that has been trained for it. I want you to let us benefit from that.”
While urging the two agencies to recommit to partnership, Agboke called on the NOA in the state to actively engage the electorates so as to tackle election related violence and vote buying.
He urged the agency to spearhead grassroots mobilisation and move beyond formal engagements.
“We need engagement to reduce violence, the tendency to be violent, and the issue of vote buying. I want people to see us,” he added.
“I want us to do something very big in order to pass the message to the electorates,” he said.
NOA State Director, Stephen Adefarasin Adebiyi, appreciated the working relationship with INEC and lauded the positive changes in Osun’s electoral landscape since Dr Agboke assumed office.
Adebiyi also acknowledged the improvement in voter education.
He said, “Since Osun’s inception, there was no free and fair election. Good election results in the state started occurring in recent years. Voter education has been comprehensive and the state has been elevated nationally.”
He outlined the purpose of the visit as two-fold and requested deeper collaboration on public sensitisation efforts.
“Firstly, it is to familiarise with Osun INEC. Secondly, it is to request more synergy between both agencies. Please carry us along before you embark on any sensitisation.
“Charge us, you’d see we are ready to work. Our field officers are rowdy to work with your officers at the local government level,” he said.
The NOA Director assured the REC of the agency’s readiness, adding that the Director-General of NOA had issued directives on reinforcing national consciousness.
“We will deliver. Whatever you put in our hands, we are ready to disseminate to your satisfaction. The NOA DG has charged the agency on the importance of national symbols,” he said.
He stressed the agency’s constitutional duty and expressed optimism about Nigeria’s democratic development.
“We need to join hands together to make things work for all of us. On the issue of national project, we must maintain the relationship between the rulers and the people through reciprocating,” he concluded.
