By Michael Ofulue, Osogbo
The Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Osun State, Dr. Mutiu Agboke, has called on political parties in the state to ensure peaceful, transparent, and credible party primaries ahead of the 2026 governorship election.
Dr. Agboke made the call on Tuesday during a stakeholders’ meeting held at the Olusegun Agbaje Media Centre, Osogbo.
The meeting brought together representatives of political parties, security agencies, civil society organisations, and the media to deliberate on preparations for the forthcoming party primaries.
In his welcome address, the REC reminded participants of the importance of adhering strictly to the INEC timetable and guidelines for the 2026 governorship election.
According to him, political parties are expected to conduct their primaries between November 24 and December 15, 2025, in compliance with Section 84 of the Electoral Act 2022.
“We must all make it a duty to monitor and track all the activities on the timetable for the 2026 governorship election in Osun State,” Dr. Agboke said. “The time is running, and every item on the timetable is due for execution one way or another.”
He emphasised that internal democracy must guide political parties, stressing that peaceful and credible primaries form the foundation of free and fair elections.
He warned that friction and violence during primaries often lead to pre-election litigations that distract from the electoral process.
“Peaceful primaries promote democratic values and foster unity within political parties,” he said. “They also enhance the legitimacy of chosen candidates and reduce polarisation among party members.”
Dr. Agboke also cautioned political parties against premature campaigns, noting that campaign activities have not officially commenced.
He cited Sections 94 and 95 of the Electoral Act 2022, which stipulate that campaigns can only begin 150 days before polling day and must end 24 hours before the election.
The REC further urged stakeholders to engage actively in voter education, especially at the grassroots, to ensure that party members and citizens are well-informed about electoral processes.
He lamented that some voters still struggle to identify party logos and warned against vote-buying and electoral violence, describing them as “menaces that have weakened the potency of our democratic values.”
“Election is a multi-stakeholder task; INEC alone cannot deliver it successfully,” he said. “Political parties must cooperate with the Commission and champion voter education against violence and inducement.”
Speaking on the Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) exercise, Dr. Agboke disclosed that as of October 24, 2025, a total of 151,593 registrants had completed their registration in Osun State. He appreciated residents for their cooperation and urged eligible citizens who have not registered to take advantage of the ongoing exercise.
The REC also commended INEC staff and Electoral Officers in the state for their professionalism and dedication during the CVR exercise, urging them to remain steadfast despite misinformation and fake news being circulated on social media.
In his closing remarks, Dr. Agboke expressed optimism that with collective commitment and discipline from all stakeholders, Osun State would deliver a peaceful, credible, and rancour-free governorship election in 2026.
“In togetherness, we shall deliver a credible election in Osun State without rancour,” he concluded.
It will be recalled that Osun State has remained a shining example in voter registration, ranking among the top states nationwide.
The feat has been largely attributed to the public enlightenment campaigns organised and led by Dr. Agboke and his team across the state