The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has underscored that the conduct and credibility of the 2026 Osun State governorship election is not the sole responsibility of the electoral body but a collective duty requiring synergy among multiple stakeholders, including security agencies, civil society groups, political actors and the media.
Speaking during an exclusive interview on Frontline, a current affairs programme on Eagle 102.5 FM, Ilese-Ijebu, Ogun State, on Thursday, the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) for Osun State, Dr. Mutiu Agboke, stressed that election management is a shared enterprise, and that deviations by other actors should not be misconstrued as failures of INEC alone. His clarion call comes amid growing public scrutiny of electoral preparedness, technological reliability, and security readiness ahead of the August 15 poll.
Dr. Agboke drove home the point on the multi stakeholder nature of electoral management, stating that assigning blame solely to INEC for issues outside its control was fundamentally flawed. He explained the roles of various actors and why collective responsibility is essential for a credible outcome.
According to Dr. Mutiu Agboke, when vote buying or other irregularities are being carried out by other agencies, INEC should not be held responsible for their actions. He emphasized that election is a multi-stakeholder activity, and each agency has distinct roles to play in ensuring a smooth process.
“So, when that process is being carried out by Others, should INEC head be the one to be removed? I’ve just told you the collaboration that we have with the security. That we conduct the election does not mean anything. I’ve just told you, election is a multi stakeholder activity. All other agencies, possibly, they are big. So, don’t just put everything on the desk of INEC that because you are the one organizing the election. It’s not correct,” Dr. Agboke said.
He reinforced that INEC’s mandate is limited to statutory duties, primarily ensuring materials reach polling units, personnel are trained, and the legal processes for voter registration, accreditation and results management are dutifully executed.
“Before election is conducted, we are going to sit down, we are going to review, do your own bit to carry out this, carry out that. INEC make sure that material arrives on time. Security, make sure that nobody disturbs the process. Make sure everybody IS GOOD,” he said. “So, if that happens on election day, is it the REC that will be held responsible? No, no, no, no. Let’s look at the responsibility of each individual agent that must be carried out in line with the rules of engagement.”
Accountability Beyond INEC
Dr. Agboke’s assertion touches on a longstanding public debate about electoral accountability whether INEC should shoulder primary responsibility for the conduct of elections regardless of how other agencies perform. He reframed the discourse by pointing to the constitutional rights of citizens and the distinct mandates of institutions that contribute to electoral order.
INEC’s approach, as articulated, seeks to align voter expectations with operational realities without diluting the commission’s own accountability for its statutory duties. “Election is a multistakeholder activity. All the stakeholders must slip and face the same direction. Once there is disparity in the direction you are facing, then that election is bound to hit the road,” he said.
Security Partnership and Preventing Malpractice
The REC also spoke to collaboration with security agencies to mitigate threats such as ballot disturbances, voter intimidation, and vote buying issues that often surface in public discourse before elections. According to him, the Inter Agency Consultative Committee on Electoral Security (ICCES) brings key actors together to plan and review strategies aimed at ensuring peaceful elections.
“Securities, they are the ones that know the flashpoints. They have identified them and definitely they are going to work around it to be able to do the right thing,” Dr. Agboke said, emphasizing that security agencies are best placed to anticipate and address potential hotspots throughout the state.
He also acknowledged the public’s concerns about vote buying and irregularities but made it clear that arresting and prosecuting such acts fall squarely within the remit of law enforcement agencies, not INEC.
“Those who are doing vote buying, each time you bring them to the studio, I would have loved this question to be thrown at them. INEC does not buy votes. INEC does not sell votes. Ask those who are selling and buying votes what they are doing to the public,” he said.
While INEC can monitor and flag irregularities, Dr. Agboke emphasized that the police and other security agencies are constitutionally empowered to handle criminal matters, including those that may impact electoral integrity.
Technological Tools and Transparency
Addressing concerns about the integration of technology in elections, Dr. Agboke provided clarity on the roles of technology platforms such as the INEC Result Viewing portal (IREV) and the Biometric Voter Accreditation System (BVAS).
“IREV is for viewing, for transparency. Whatever you put there is for you to view and see and confirm. There is nothing like electronic collation. The only thing you have is what you call electronic transmission. I prefer to refer to it as upload of the results into the IREV,” he explained, countering misconceptions that IREV is a collation tool.
He reiterated that official collation remains a manual process carried out progressively from polling units to ward, local government, and state levels. To bolster confidence, training for possible technological challenges, such as network glitches, has been covered by INEC’s ICT teams.
“All the gamut of training that need to be taken through, including issues such as BVAS or network glitches, have been covered by our technical department, particularly our ICT. Whoever has any problem knows whom to contact,” he said.
Voter Education and Voter Cards
Dr. Agboke also reaffirmed INEC’s commitment to robust voter education across Osun State, noting ongoing outreach efforts aimed at amplifying voter awareness and participation.
“Voter education is everywhere. We are moving from one local government to the other. So, the level of our engagement is on the high side. Our people are very much aware about the activities of the commission,” he said.
He further confirmed that Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) are being printed and distributed in phases, adding that voters will receive their cards well ahead of the August election.
“The commission is going to print everything. You will get your card before the election,” he assured.
Multi Agency Roles, Shared Accountability
Dr. Agboke’s emphasis on a collaborative electoral ecosystem offers a nuanced explanation of why INEC alone cannot guarantee a flawless election. It places shared responsibility at the core of credible election narratives where INEC delivers its mandate, security agencies maintain order, civil society groups monitor compliance, and the media provides oversight and public education.
The REC’s remarks are also likely to fuel broader conversations around electoral reform and accountability measures that ensure all stakeholders not just the electoral body are judged by how well they perform their roles leading to, during, and after the polls.
Looking Ahead
As the August 15 date approaches, Dr. Agboke reiterated that citizen participation remains central to any credible outcome. He concluded: “Truly nothing would determine who wins the election except the vote of the people. The vote of the people will determine who wins that election.”
