Oyetola Accused of Influencing INEC REC Transfer in Osun – Assembly Sounds Alarm

The Osun State House of Assembly has raised serious concerns over the sudden transfer of the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Dr. Mutiu Agboke, from Osun to Ondo State, linking the move to the influence of former Governor Gboyega Oyetola.

Speaker Rt. Hon. Adewale Egbedun, addressing journalists at the Assembly Complex in Osogbo on Thursday, described the transfer as a politically motivated maneuver ahead of the 2026 gubernatorial election in Osun. He noted that while Ekiti State, which precedes Osun in the election calendar, has not experienced similar transfers, Osun has witnessed a sudden redeployment of key electoral officials.

Egbedun warned that further redeployments, reportedly targeting other senior INEC officials, including Administrative Secretaries, Electoral Officers, and ICT personnel, could follow. “We have credible information linking these developments to Mr. Gboyega Oyetola. No administrative reshuffle or deployment of partisan officials will override the will of the people of Osun State,” he stressed.

The Speaker also flagged concerns over attempts to place All Progressives Congress (APC) members in critical electoral roles, particularly in the Ife Ijesha Senatorial District. “These calculated efforts, no matter how structured, cannot alter the resolve of our people. Osun citizens are politically conscious and determined to ensure that their votes count,” he said.

Egbedun called on all electoral officers deployed in the state to adhere strictly to constitutional and electoral laws. He further appealed to the international community, development partners, and election observers to monitor the unfolding developments.

He concluded: “Osun State is deeply committed to democratic values. Any attempt to compromise the electoral process will be firmly resisted. We insist on a free, fair, and credible election.”