Osun Guber Poll: CSOs petition INEC chairman over redeployments

Civil society organisations in Osun State have formally petitioned the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, Prof. Joash Ojo Amupitan, over alleged irregular staff redeployments ahead of the governorship election.

The petition was submitted after a peaceful demonstration staged in Osogbo on Thursday as members of the Coalition of Concerned Nigerian Citizens gathered to register their grievances regarding recent personnel changes within the Commission.

According to the group, the redeployment exercise has raised questions about transparency and fairness, particularly as preparations intensify for the August 15, 2026 governorship poll in the state.

In their submission, the coalition alleged that certain individuals with perceived political leanings had been assigned to key positions across local government offices and the state headquarters of the electoral body.

The petition, jointly signed by the coalition’s chairman, Musa Akinkunmi, and spokesperson, Oluomo Success, stated that the pattern of postings could undermine confidence in the electoral process.

“We strongly object to the ongoing redeployments, which appear selective and lacking in transparency,” the group stated.

They claimed that reports suggested a deliberate placement of individuals believed to have affiliations with a major opposition party into sensitive electoral roles.

“This trend raises serious concerns about neutrality, especially when those deployed are said to have known political sympathies,” the petition read.

The coalition also noted that similar large-scale staff movements were not observed in other states preparing for elections, including 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.

Beyond the protest, the petitioners called for an immediate halt to the redeployment exercise and urged the commission to conduct an independent review of the postings.

They also requested a transparent audit of voter transfer activities within the state, warning that any perceived irregularities could affect public trust in the electoral system.

Meanwhile, the recent redeployment of the Resident Electoral Commissioner 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 the claims, insisting that the Commission’s internal decisions should not be politicised.