The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Osun State has assured residents of a peaceful, credible and transparent governorship election scheduled for 15 August, following concerns raised by protesters over recent administrative changes within the commission.
The new Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Mrs Oluwatoyin Babalola, gave the assurance on Tuesday while addressing demonstrators at the INEC office in Osogbo.
The protesters, made up of market women and members of a civil society group, had gathered to express concerns over the transfer of the former REC, Dr Mutiu Agboke, alleging that the move could open the door to electoral manipulation.
Mrs Babalola, represented by the Head of Legal Department, Mr Niyi Fayanju, and the Head of Voter Education and Publicity, Mr Rufus Ariyo, reassured the protesters that their votes would be protected and made to count in the forthcoming election.
She emphasised that the commission had implemented adequate arrangements to ensure the credibility of the electoral process, adding that the fears expressed by residents were understandable but unfounded. According to her, she was committed to upholding the integrity of INEC and ensuring that the will of the electorate prevailed.
The REC further clarified that the transfer of staff within the commission was a routine administrative procedure carried out in line with civil service regulations, stressing that it should not be interpreted as politically motivated.
Despite the assurances, some of the protesters insisted that they believed the reassignment of the former REC was influenced by political interests. They urged the new electoral commissioner to remain impartial and ensure that the election was conducted in a fair and transparent manner without favouring any political party.
Speaking on behalf of the protesters, Mrs Sadiat Amsat, Ms Temitope Abass, and Mrs Mary Adewale, who are artisans, appealed to INEC to guarantee neutrality throughout the electoral process. They stressed that the credibility of the election would depend on the commission’s ability to remain independent and impartial.
The Osun State Chairman of the Coalition of Concerned Nigerian Citizens, Mr Musa Abdulsalam, who coordinated the protest, later submitted a petition to INEC officials outlining the group’s concerns and demands.
The commission, however, maintained that it remained fully committed to delivering a free, fair and conclusive governorship election in August, assuring stakeholders that every necessary safeguard had been put in place to protect the integrity of the electoral process.
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