INEC Chairman Inspects Obokun Office, Orders 7:30am Deployment Ahead of Osun Governorship Election
Oru Leonard
The Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Joash Amupitan, SAN, on Friday continued his statewide readiness assessment ahead of the August 15 Osun State governorship election with an inspection visit to the Commission’s Local Government Office in Obokun.
The visit formed part of the Commission’s ongoing preparations for both the mock accreditation exercise scheduled for August 1 and the governorship election, as INEC intensifies efforts to ensure a smooth, credible and transparent electoral process.
At the Obokun office, the Electoral Officer, Mrs. Fakunle Olajumoke, assured the INEC Chairman and his entourage that the office was fully prepared for the forthcoming exercises.
Prof. Amupitan inspected the stock of non-sensitive election materials designated for the mock accreditation and the governorship poll, expressing satisfaction with the level of preparedness while emphasizing the need for strict compliance with operational timelines.
Addressing staff, the INEC Chairman reiterated that all polling units must commence voting promptly at 8:30 a.m., directing Electoral Officers to activate Registration Area Centres (RACs) by midday on Friday before the election and ensure that election personnel and materials are deployed to polling units no later than 7:30 a.m. on election day.
Earlier in Osogbo, Prof. Amupitan met with Supervisory Presiding Officers (SPOs) undergoing training at Ataoja School of Science, where he stressed that the credibility of the election would depend largely on their professionalism, discipline and integrity.
He warned against any delay or diversion of electoral materials and cautioned the officers against yielding to political influence.
“Election must start by 8:30 a.m. Ensure that you and the materials are at the polling units by 7:30 a.m. so that voting can commence on schedule. There must be no delay, no diversion of materials, and politicians must not influence your duties,” he said.
The INEC Chairman reminded the officers that although many of them were ad hoc personnel, the public would judge the Commission by their conduct.
“What you are doing is service to the nation. If Nigerians are to appreciate your work, you must ensure early commencement of polls, timely deployment of materials and strict adherence to the rules. Materials must not be delayed, diverted or distributed in instalments,” he stated.
He further directed the SPOs to comply only with official INEC guidelines and reject any instructions outside the Commission’s approved procedures.
“I’m here with National Commissioners and other senior officials of the Commission. Follow every instruction contained in the official manual. Whatever is outside the books, don’t do it,” he warned.
Prof. Amupitan described the Osun governorship election as particularly significant, noting that it is Nigeria’s last off-cycle governorship election before the 2027 General Elections.
“Osun is a special state because this is the last off-cycle election before the general elections. The eyes of the nation are on you. Wherever you serve, people will see you as representatives of INEC, and whatever you do reflects on the Commission,” he said.
He also called for a peaceful, transparent and complaint-free election while proposing that outstanding Supervisory Presiding Officers be recognised for exceptional performance.
“I believe we should also reward SPOs who distinguish themselves through excellent service,” he added.
The INEC Chairman was accompanied on the inspection tour by National Commissioners Prof. Kunle Ajayi, Dr. Baba Gbila, Dr. Kenneth Okeagwu, Dr. Sani Adams, SAN, Sunday Ajah, Malami Tukur Yusuf, and Rear Admiral Jamila Malafa, alongside the Osun State Resident Electoral Commissioner,
Barrister Oluwatoyin Babalola, and other senior management staff of the Commission.
With more than 2.3 million registered voters expected to participate in the August 15 governorship election, INEC says it is strengthening logistics, security coordination and result management systems to ensure the conduct of a peaceful, credible and transparent poll across Osun State.
