Politics

Ekiti, Osun Polls Test For 2027 Elections – INEC Chair Amupitan Tells Staff

Published

5 months ago

March 21, 2026

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has called on its staff and Nigerians to uphold accountability, discipline and integrity as preparations intensify for the forthcoming governorship elections in Ekiti State and Osun State.

Chairman of the commission, Joash Amupitan (SAN), made the call in his Eid-el-Fitr message to Muslim faithful, urging renewed commitment to credible electoral processes.

In a statement issued by his Chief Press Secretary, Adedayo Oketola, the INEC boss described the end of Ramadan as “a victory of the spirit over the self,” noting that its lessons should guide the conduct of electoral officials.

“The lessons of Ramadan, patience, integrity, and empathy, are the very virtues we require as we approach the critical milestones of 2026. Discipline must translate into a renewed commitment to electoral integrity,” he said.

Amupitan described the forthcoming governorship elections as a major test run ahead of the 2027 general elections.

He maintained that the polls would serve as a “litmus test” for the commission’s preparedness and the effectiveness of its ongoing reforms.

According to him, the commitment of INEC staff to professionalism and ethical conduct would play a key role in tackling voter apathy and rebuilding public trust in the electoral system.

Naija News reports that the INEC chairman stressed that the commission would not condone any form of misconduct among its workforce, insisting that professionalism remains non-negotiable.

He urged staff across the country to adopt a zero-tolerance stance on unethical practices, especially as the electoral cycle gains momentum.

Highlighting the coincidence of Ramadan with the Christian Lenten season, Amupitan described the moment as symbolic of unity and shared responsibility among Nigerians.

“Seeing both faiths within the Commission engaged in simultaneous fasting and intercession reinforces my belief in our shared humanity,” he said.

He added that the convergence underscores the importance of collective responsibility in strengthening Nigeria’s democracy.

The chairman reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to staff welfare, noting that recent initiatives, including the reintroduction of institutional gatherings such as Iftar, were aimed at boosting morale.

“With a workforce of over 14,000, we recognise that a motivated workforce is the best defence against external political pressure,” he stated.

He emphasised that improved working conditions would help staff remain focused and resistant to undue influence.

Amupitan further disclosed that the commission is operating under the provisions of the Electoral Act 2026, which mandates stricter compliance with technological innovations.

He said tools such as the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System and the INEC Result Viewing Portal would be deployed to enhance transparency and credibility in elections.

Describing the current period as crucial in Nigeria’s democratic journey, the INEC boss urged both staff and citizens to reflect the values of Ramadan beyond the festive season.

“The conclusion of the fast is not just a celebration, but a foundation for renewed commitment to service, integrity, and national development,” he said.

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Politics

VIDEO: #OSUNDECIDES2026! Angry Youths Storm INEC Office, Chant “Fadahunsi Ole”

Published

1 day ago

August 16, 2026

Oluwagbenga Olaoye

Some Osun youths gathered at the headquarters of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, in Osogbo, Saturday night, to monitor the collation of results from the governorship election.

In a video from the scene, the youths could be heard chanting “Fadahunsi ole, your plans will not work”.

The senator representing Osun East, Francis Fadahunsi, had earlier been captured in another video during the election, where he was seen confronting and allegedly threatening voters at his polling unit in the presence of a police officer.

The chant came as the collation of results from the election continued at the INEC headquarters.

Watch video below..

“Ole ! Ole ! Tiff, Tiff, your scope will not work, we know what you’re trying to do, you have to upload the result now”

Osun state residents don mount for INEC office 😭😂✨ pic.twitter.com/ux1mkhgfoP

— Oyindamola🙄 (@dammiedammie35) August 15, 2026

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Politics

Osun Election: EU Observer Hub Uncovers 323 Electoral Offences, 38 Security Incidents

Published

1 day ago

August 16, 2026

Oluwagbenga Olaoye

The European Union (EU) Support to Democratic Governance in Nigeria Election Observation Hub (EU-SDGN EOH) has claimed that there were over 38 reported security incidents and 323 electoral offences and irregularities in the Osun 2026 election.

Naija News reports that the Union, which comprises the Centre for Media and Society (CEMESO), the International Press Centre (IPC), the Nigerian Women Trust Fund (NWTF), TAF Africa, The Kukah Centre (TKC) and Yiaga Africa, made the claim in a statement on Saturday.

The hub asserted that the 726 polling units monitored were disrupted by violent acts and irregularities.

They disclosed that they had deployed 823 accredited observers across polling units in all 30 local government areas to monitor the election.

The statement read, “Of 2,339,233 registered voters, 1,906,390, representing 81.50 per cent, had collected their Permanent Voters Cards and were eligible to vote.”

Speaking on the security incidents, the Union stated that there were 25 cases of thuggery, 12 attacks on electoral officials and 9 cases of voter intimidation by security personnel.

The hub said, “It separately recorded 323 cases of electoral offences across the polling units observed, including 103 cases of vote trading, 85 cases of exposure of ballot papers, 31 cases of obstruction of voters, 38 cases of campaigning at polling units, 28 cases of inducement of polling and security officials, 14 cases of voter impersonation, 12 cases of multiple voting and 7 cases of misconduct by election officials.”

The Hub also identified specific cases of voter intimidation by security agents at PU 29-10-10-005, Igbon District Council School, Ejigbo, and PU 29-30-06-015, opposite No. 22 Oke Ola Street, Okanla Area, Osogbo.

“During the accreditation process, 608 of 726 observed polling units, or 83.7 per cent, had polling officials with a full complement of both sensitive and non-sensitive materials between 7:30am and 8:00 am. A further 75 polling units opened between 8:00am and 8:30am, and 42 between 8:30 am and 11:00am, while one polling unit remained unopened as of 11:00am due to the non-arrival of personnel and materials,” the statement read.

Source: naijanews.com

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Politics

Osun Poll: Full List Of LGAs Won By Adeleke

Published

1 day ago

August 16, 2026

Oluwagbenga Olaoye

The Governor of Osun State and candidate of the Accord Party (A), Ademola Adeleke, has been officially declared by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) as the winner of the 2026 governorship election.

Naija News had earlier reported that Adeleke, who contested against the candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Bola Oyebamiji and several other candidates, had a total of 511,067 votes while Oyebamiji gathered 444,815 votes, a difference of 66,256 votes.

Adeleke won 19 local government areas, while his closest rival, Oyebamiji, won 11.

Here are the local government areas won by Adeleke:

Ede North: Adeleke — 35,427; APC — 10,283

Osogbo: Adeleke — 36,480; APC — 30,474

Ede South: Adeleke — 26,188; APC — 6,219

Iwo: Adeleke — 27,085; APC — 19,660

Ife East: Adeleke — 27,201; APC — 18,600

Ife Central: Adeleke — 21,171; APC — 15,913

Ifelodun: Adeleke — 21,107; APC — 18,396

Oriade: Adeleke — 21,343; APC — 14,863

Egbedore: Adeleke — 19,278; APC — 11,194

Odo Otin: Adeleke — 18,003; APC — 15,435

Ilesa West: Adeleke — 16,196; APC — 12,756

Ila: Adeleke — 16,211; APC — 12,934

Ayedaade: Adeleke — 16,681; APC — 15,719

Ife North: Adeleke — 13,879; APC — 9,613

Orolu: Adeleke — 12,352; APC — 10,622

Boluwaduro: Adeleke — 7,118; APC — 7,050

Ayedire: Adeleke — 11,073; APC — 9,910

Ejigbo Local Government Area and Ifedayo

Meanwhile, the European Union (EU) Support to Democratic Governance in Nigeria Election Observation Hub (EU-SDGN EOH) has claimed that there were over 38 reported security incidents and 323 electoral offences and irregularities in the Osun 2026 election.

The hub asserted that violent acts and irregularities disrupted the 726 polling units monitored.

Source: naijanews.com

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