“Osun APC Refutes Lawmaker’s Allegations on INEC Personnel Relocation”
The All Progressives Congress, APC, in Osun State has condemned the state House of Assembly regarding accusations linking a former governor to recent personnel changes within the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC.
In a statement released on Thursday by Kola Olabisi, the Osun APC Director of Media and Information, the party characterized the assertions made by lawmakers led by Speaker Adewale Egbedun as baseless, following a press conference held in Osogbo earlier that day.
The Assembly had claimed that Gboyega Oyetola, currently the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, was responsible for what it termed as internal operational modifications within INEC in the state.
In response, the APC asserted that “such personnel reassignments strictly fall within the mandated duties of the electoral body and are governed by prevailing electoral regulations.
“Routine administrative procedures of INEC should not be misinterpreted or politicized. Such transfers have occurred in the past without any controversy.”
The party indicated that it had no role in the internal matters of INEC and had no knowledge of the specific personnel changes mentioned by the lawmakers.
“We are not even aware that such an action has occurred, and we are not engaged with the internal workings of the commission,” the APC remarked.
The statement also rejected the allegation against Oyetola as lacking substantiation, emphasizing that “it is a fundamental tenet that any person making an accusation must furnish proof.”
The APC accused the lawmakers of shifting focus from governance issues, suggesting that their actions were politically driven ahead of the August 15, 2026 gubernatorial election.
The party connected the controversy to wider political trends in the state, observing that preparations for the election were escalating among various stakeholders.
It reaffirmed its backing for its gubernatorial candidate, indicating that endeavors were ongoing to achieve electoral success through lawful means.
“Oyetola and other party members remain dedicated to operating within the framework of the law to ensure triumph at the polls,” the statement continued.
The APC also called on the public to dismiss the allegations, labeling them as “unfounded and lacking any empirical support.”
Reiterating its stance, the party insisted that INEC ought to be enabled to perform its functions autonomously, free from external interference or political influence.
The Osun State House of Assembly on Thursday expressed worries over recent administrative modifications within the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, cautioning that these developments could jeopardize the credibility of upcoming elections in the state.
Speaking to reporters at a press conference in Osogbo on Thursday, Speaker of the Assembly, Adewale Egbedun, on behalf of the lawmakers, stated that the redeployment of Dr. Mutiu Agboke, the Resident Electoral Commissioner in Osun, had attracted attention, particularly as it seemed abrupt and lacking clear justification.
The Assembly revealed that it had also obtained reports suggesting that additional reallocations of key electoral personnel were being contemplated, including officials such as Administrative Secretaries, Electoral Officers, Assistant Electoral Officers, and ICT staff throughout the state.
NAIJATAB also reported that the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, reallocated its Resident Electoral Commissioner, REC, in Osun State, Dr. Mutiu Agboke.
The redeployment ensued amid petitions to the electoral body’s chairman, Prof Joash Amupitan, concerning alleged partisanship.
NAIJATAB learned that the All Progressives Congress, APC, and the New Nigeria Peoples Party, NNPP, called for Agboke’s redeployment ahead of the 2026 Osun gubernatorial election.
