Professor Joash Amupitan, Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), has confirmed that the commission remains strictly neutral regarding the Osun State governorship election scheduled for August 15, 2026. Addressing a meeting of stakeholders in Osogbo, including political representatives and civil society groups, Amupitan emphasized that INEC possesses no favorites and holds no bias toward any political entity.
Highlighting the importance of civic participation, Amupitan warned that voter apathy poses a significant risk to the nation’s democratic health. He urged residents to ignore rumors of violence and misinformation, promising that security measures are in place to ensure a safe environment for everyone to cast their ballots. He stressed that advanced electoral technology is useless if voters fail to participate.
The INEC chair explicitly addressed the issue of safety, asserting that citizens should not have to weigh their security against their right to vote. He called on journalists to maintain professional integrity and urged election observers to monitor the process with objectivity. Furthermore, he reminded political parties of the existing Peace Accord, warning that any attempts to incite violence or employ thugs would face firm intervention by the state.
Amupitan concluded by encouraging the people of Osun to head to the polls in large numbers, emphasizing that their collective choice is the only priority for the electoral body. He reiterated that the commission’s loyalty is solely to the Nigerian Constitution and the expressed will of the electorate.
