The Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Osun State, Oluwatoyin Babalola, has assured residents of a peaceful, credible and transparent governorship election scheduled for August 15.
Babalola gave the assurance on Tuesday in Osogbo while addressing a group of protesters, including market women and civil society organisations, who gathered at the commission’s office over concerns surrounding the recent transfer of former REC, Mutiu Agboke.
Represented by the Head of Legal Department, Niyi Fayanju, and the Head of Voter Education and Publicity, Rufus Ariyo, the REC said adequate measures had been put in place to guarantee a free, fair and conclusive election.
“Your votes will count. The commission has made all necessary arrangements to ensure that the governorship election is credible and transparent,” she said.
Babalola acknowledged the concerns raised by the protesters, describing them as understandable, but reassured residents of INEC’s commitment to integrity.
“I am here to uphold the integrity of the commission and ensure that every vote counts,” she added.
She also clarified that the redeployment of Agboke was in line with standard administrative procedures.
“The transfer of staff is the prerogative of the commission and was carried out in accordance with civil service rules,” she stated.
Some of the protesters, however, alleged that the redeployment of the former REC could be politically motivated and urged the new leadership not to compromise the electoral process.
One of the protesters, Sadiat Amsat, said, “INEC must not support any political party. We want a transparent process where our votes truly count.”
Similarly, Temitope Abass and Mary Adewale called on the commission to remain neutral and ensure a level playing field for all contestants.
The protest was coordinated by the Osun Chairman of the Coalition of Concerned Nigerian Citizens, Musa Abdulsalam, who submitted a petition to INEC officials during the demonstration.
The development comes amid heightened public interest ahead of the August 15 governorship election in the state.