The Osun State House of Assembly has accused former Governor Gboyega Oyetola and the All Progressives Congress (APC) of influencing the recent transfer of the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in the state, Dr. Mutiu Agboke.
The Speaker of the House, Rt. Hon. Adewale Egbedun, made the allegation during a press conference held at the Assembly Complex in Osogbo on Thursday.
Egbedun described the redeployment as a politically motivated move, expressing concern over what he termed a pattern of strategic changes in the state’s electoral structure ahead of the 2026 governorship election.
He noted that while Osun witnessed such redeployments, Ekiti State, which precedes Osun in the electoral calendar, had not experienced similar actions, raising questions about the motive behind the development.
The Speaker further disclosed that the Assembly had received credible intelligence indicating plans to extend the redeployment to other key electoral officials, including administrative secretaries, electoral officers, assistant electoral officers, and ICT personnel across the state.
He alleged that the developments were part of a broader attempt to influence the electoral process in Osun State through the placement of individuals with political affiliations in strategic positions.
Egbedun specifically linked the alleged moves to the influence of former Governor Oyetola, insisting that such efforts would not succeed in undermining the democratic will of the people.
He warned that no amount of administrative changes or deployment of interested officials would override the resolve of Osun residents to ensure that their votes count.
The Speaker also raised concerns over alleged plans to compromise the electoral process in parts of the state, particularly in the Ife/Ijesa Senatorial District, through the use of partisan actors in sensitive electoral roles.
He stressed that such actions were unacceptable and would be resisted by the people of the state.
Egbedun emphasised that all officials deployed for election duties in Osun must strictly adhere to the provisions of the Constitution and electoral laws.
He maintained that the forthcoming election must be free, fair, and credible, warning that any deviation from this standard would be firmly opposed.
The Assembly also called on the international community, development partners, and election observers to closely monitor developments in the state as preparations for the 2026 election continue.
Egbedun reiterated the commitment of the people of Osun State to democratic values, noting that any attempt to undermine the credibility of the electoral process would be strongly resisted.
