Osun Election: CSOs Petition INEC Over Staff Redeployments as Commission Adjusts Campaign Timeline
With just four months remaining until the Osun State governorship election, Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) have formally petitioned the chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Professor Joash Ojo Amupitan, concerning alleged irregular staff redeployments in preparation for the upcoming poll. This development coincides with the commission's announcement of a consequential adjustment to the campaign timeline for the Osun gubernatorial election, following a shift in the election date.
Petition and Peaceful Demonstration
The petition was submitted after a peaceful demonstration held in Osogbo on Thursday, where members of the Coalition of Concerned Nigerian Citizens gathered to express their grievances regarding recent personnel changes within INEC. According to the coalition, the redeployment exercise has raised significant questions about transparency and fairness, especially as preparations intensify for the August 15 governorship election.
In their submission, the coalition alleged that certain individuals perceived to have political leanings had been assigned to key positions across local government offices and the electoral body's state headquarters. The petition, jointly signed by the coalition's chairman, Musa Akinkunmi, and spokesperson, Oluomo Success, stated that this pattern of postings could undermine public confidence in the electoral process.
The coalition also noted that similar large-scale staff movements were not observed in other states preparing for elections, such as Ekiti, nor during the most recent governorship poll in Anambra State. "It is difficult to understand why Osun should experience such extensive reshuffling when comparable situations elsewhere did not warrant the same approach," the group added.
Political Reactions and Timeline Adjustment
The recent redeployment of the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) in Osun, Mutiu Agboke, to Ondo State, has continued to generate reactions among political stakeholders. While the Accord Party questioned the timing of the move and alleged political interference, the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state rejected these claims, insisting that the commission's internal decisions should not be politicised.
Announcing the shift, National Commissioner and Chairman of the Information and Voter Education Committee, Mohammed Kudu Haruna, stated in a release that the last day of campaign is now midnight on Thursday, August 13. The election, originally scheduled for August 8, was moved forward by one week to August 15 as part of the revised timetable and schedule of activities for the 2027 general election.
Haruna explained that this adjustment aligns with Section 98(1) of the Electoral Act 2026, which stipulates that campaigns must cease 24 hours before election day. The commission urged political parties, candidates, and other stakeholders to strictly comply with the revised schedule.
APC Claims and Governor Adeleke's Remarks
Raising further controversy, the Director-General of the APC Campaign for the Osun governorship election, Oluwole Oke, claimed that Governor Ademola Adeleke may not appear on the ballot due to an ongoing leadership dispute in court within the Accord Party. Oke, who represents the Obokun and Ori-Ade Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, expressed confidence that the APC would record a sweeping victory across 26 of Osun State's 30 local government areas.
He made these remarks while speaking with journalists after an endorsement meeting of some stakeholders for the APC governorship candidate, Bola Oyebamiji. According to him, the Accord Party and the African Democratic Congress (ADC) would only secure about four local government areas between them. Oke further maintained that Adeleke stands no chance in the contest, insisting that the APC candidate possesses superior credentials and political pedigree.
"Adeleke and ADC candidate, Najeem Salam, will win only four local governments by splitting them among themselves. We are even going to compete very well with them in Ede North, South, Egbedore, and Ejigbo. We are targeting the electorate and not relying on anything outside this," Oke stated. "Let me even say this, Adeleke might not be on the ballot because of the crisis within themselves; they have another candidate called Bamigbola in the Accord Party. They are in court, so we don't know who is competing with us."
In response, Governor Adeleke has blamed delays in some state government projects on allegedly hijacked Osun local government funds. Speaking in Osogbo at a meeting of key state officials involved in implementing mega projects, Adeleke explained that Osun has had to shoulder the responsibility of paying local teachers, health workers, pensioners, and local government workers for over a year, a duty that should fall to local governments.
The spokesperson to the governor, Olawale Rasheed, stated that Adeleke described field reports on key projects as "heartwarming" and "in line with the timeline and projections of his government." Projects reviewed at the meeting included:
- Ile Ife flyover and dualisation
- Lameco flyover at Osogbo
- Ila Orangun township dualisation
- Osogbo-Ofatedo-Awo junction dualisation
- Iwo township dualisation
- Reconstruction of the bridge linking Ilahun and Ere Ìjèsà
- Ibokun/Ilahun/Ere Ijesa – Iwoye ìjèsà, among others
Constitutional Reforms and Electoral Woes
Ahead of the 2027 general election, the Action Democratic Party (ADP) has argued that Nigeria's constitution, not INEC, is responsible for the electoral woes the country is experiencing. ADP National Chairman, Yabaji Sani, stated this at the commencement of the party's National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting and INEC verification exercise in Abuja, saying allegations of bias by opposition parties amount to chasing shadows.
"We created the system that produced INEC, just like the police, judiciary and the National Assembly. The issue is not INEC," Sani said. He called for constitutional reforms to ensure greater independence of electoral institutions, particularly in the appointment of INEC leadership. "The Constitution needs to be amended so that no single individual has the power to appoint the person who chairs INEC. Not just Bola Ahmed Tinubu—any leader in that position could abuse such powers," he added.
Similarly, the Executive Director of the Policy and Legal Advocacy Centre (PLAC), Clement Nwankwo, called on the National Assembly to ensure the passage of 45 Critical Alteration bills, warning that premature struggles for power as the 2027 elections approach threaten to derail critical constitutional reforms. Speaking at a town hall meeting in Abuja, he lamented that the National Assembly missed its self-imposed December 2025 deadline for these bills.
Nwankwo expressed concern that political ambitions for the next election cycle are overshadowing the legislative agenda. "The indication we received at the beginning was that, by December 2025 at the latest, these bills would have been passed. Unfortunately, I think politics set in far too early. We are almost at the point where politicians are focused on the struggle for power," he said.
He urged lawmakers to "step down" from politics to allow legislative bodies to conclude work on 12 thematic areas of reform, including judicial and electoral reforms, local government autonomy, and devolution of powers. He noted that the Special Seats Bill for women, aimed at addressing gender imbalance in the legislature, remains a critical bill.
Responding to these concerns, the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Benjamin Kalu, assured citizens that the 10th House remains committed to a national rebirth process. Kalu, who chairs the House Committee on Constitution Review, described the constitution as a "living document" that must evolve. "A nation's constitution is not merely a legal document; it is the mirror of its aspirations and the machinery of its progress," he said, emphasising that the process is inclusive and responsive to public will.
The dialogue also touched on the high-stakes debate over state policing, championed by President Bola Tinubu. Nwankwo emphasised that while state policing is essential for addressing insecurity, the National Assembly must include stringent safeguards for citizens' rights to prevent abuse. As the window for legislative action narrows, he urged the political class to demonstrate genuine respect for the rule of law.
INEC's Role in Party Processes Clarified
Meanwhile, constitutional lawyer Dr Monday Ubani clarified the role of INEC at party congresses, conventions, or primaries. Weighing in on concerns surrounding internal party processes under the Electoral Act 2026, Ubani noted that the absence of INEC at such exercises does not automatically invalidate them.
Ubani, speaking amid political intrigues ahead of the 2027 general elections, said the determining factor for validity is strict compliance with statutory provisions, not the physical presence of INEC officials. According to him, the Electoral Act 2026 imposes a mandatory obligation on political parties to notify INEC at least 21 days before holding congresses, conventions, or primary elections, but it does not make INEC's attendance a condition for validity.
"The law is clear. Political parties must give the required notice, but INEC's role is essentially that of an observer. Where a party has fulfilled its obligation by notifying the commission, the absence of INEC does not invalidate the process," he explained.
Citing Section 82 of the Electoral Act 2026, Ubani stated that a party's exercise would only be invalid if it fails to give statutory notice, with sanctions against non-compliant parties. "The implication is straightforward: the law punishes the failure of a political party to notify INEC, not the commission's failure or refusal to attend," he added, referencing judicial precedents that support this position.
