Civic society organizations in Osun State have officially submitted a request to the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, Prof. Joash Ojo Amupitan, concerning alleged irregular staff transfers in anticipation of the gubernatorial election.
The request was presented following a peaceful protest held in Osogbo on Thursday, as members of the Coalition of Concerned Nigerian Citizens convened to express their concerns regarding recent personnel adjustments within the Commission.
As per the coalition, the transfer initiative has sparked doubts about transparency and equity, especially with preparations escalating for the August 15, 2026 gubernatorial election in the state.
In their request, the coalition claimed that certain individuals with perceived political biases had been given prominent positions across local government offices and the state headquarters of the electoral body.
The letter, co-signed by the coalition’s chairman, Musa Akinkunmi, and spokesperson, Oluomo Success, mentioned that the distribution of postings could jeopardize public faith in the electoral procedure.
“We vehemently oppose the ongoing transfers, which seem to be selective and devoid of transparency,” the group asserted.
They alleged that reports indicated a calculated placement of persons thought to be affiliated with a major opposing party into critical electoral roles.
“This pattern raises significant worries regarding impartiality, especially when those assigned are alleged to have recognized political inclinations,” the petition stated.
The coalition further remarked that comparable large-scale staff modifications were not witnessed in other states gearing up for elections, such as Ekiti, nor during the most recent gubernatorial election in Anambra State.
“It is challenging to comprehend why Osun should undergo such a considerable reshuffling when similar circumstances elsewhere did not necessitate the same response,” the group added.
In addition to the protest, the petitioners demanded an immediate cessation of the redeployment initiative and encouraged the commission to perform an independent evaluation of the assignments.
They also sought a clear audit of voter transfer activities within the state, cautioning that any perceived discrepancies could undermine public confidence in the electoral system.
Meanwhile, the recent reassignment of the Resident Electoral Commissioner in Osun, Mutiu Agboke, to Ondo State has continued to provoke reactions among political actors.
While the Accord Party questioned the timing of this change and alleged political meddling, the All Progressives Congress, APC, in the state dismissed these claims, asserting that the Commission’s internal decisions should not be subject to politicization.
