The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Osun State has dismissed claims that it is registering underage voters ahead of the August 8, 2026 governorship election, describing the allegations as “false, unfounded and deliberately misleading.”

Speaking in an exclusive interview on Eagle 102. 5 FM, Ilese Ijebu, on Thursday, the Osun State Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Dr. Mutiu Agboke, made this clarification following viral social media reports suggesting that secondary school students were mobilised to INEC offices for voter registration.

Agboke explained that no underage person was registered at any INEC office in the state, stressing that the incident in question involved an attempted breach which was firmly resisted by electoral officials.

“Let me say clearly that there is nothing, absolutely nothing like underage registration in Osun State. That report is unfounded, spurious and lacks any iota of truth,” Agboke said.

What Really Happened — INEC’s Account

According to the REC, the controversy stemmed from an incident that occurred at the INEC office in Ede North Local Government Area, where a busload of uniformed secondary school students arrived for registration.

“On Friday last week, a busload of students arrived at our Ede North INEC office. On sighting them, the officer on duty immediately resisted the attempt by those who brought them. There were heated arguments, but eventually, nobody was allowed to register,” he stated.

Agboke revealed that while the confrontation was ongoing, an onlooker took photographs of the students and circulated them online, sparking public outrage and false claims that underage registration was taking place.

“Somebody from a close range took pictures and went online to spread the narrative that INEC was registering underage students. That is completely false,” he added.

Visit to the School, Principal’s Apology

Following the incident, the INEC boss said he personally led a delegation to the secondary school involved to investigate the matter and confront the school authorities.

“We deliberately went to the school to find out how those students were mobilised. The principal was shocked and apologised profusely. He said he did not authorise it and had already written complaints to the Ministry of Education and other authorities for investigation,” Agboke disclosed.

He added that the school management assured INEC that steps were being taken to identify those responsible for mobilising the students.

“I warned him that if such an incident happens again, I will not hesitate to involve law enforcement agencies. The principal accepted responsibility and assured us that measures are being taken,” he said.

INEC Not Responsible for Arrests — Agboke

Responding to criticisms that INEC should have arrested the individuals who transported the students, Agboke insisted that INEC is not a law enforcement agency and acted within its legal mandate.

“INEC is not a police organisation. Our duty is to prevent illegal registration, and we did exactly that. No underage person entered our register. That is what matters,” he said.

He added: “Which law says I must arrest them? My responsibility is to ensure the integrity of the voter register. Once that was secured, our job was done. If there is criminality involved, investigative journalism and security agencies should handle it.”

On Allegations of Political Motives

Amid speculations that the incident may have political undertones, especially given Ede’s political relevance in Osun State, Agboke dismissed such insinuations.

“I do not deal with insinuations. I deal strictly with facts. I have explained what happened. Anybody is free to speculate, but speculation is not evidence,” he said.

He stressed that INEC remains neutral and unbiased, pledging the commission’s commitment to conducting a free, fair, and credible election.

BVAS, IREV and Electronic Transmission Explained

Agboke also clarified technical concerns surrounding the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) and the INEC Result Viewing Portal (IREV), especially amid national debates on real-time electronic transmission of results.

“BVAS works offline during accreditation. It does not require internet to verify voters. Internet is only required when uploading results to IREV after voting and counting have been concluded,” he explained.

On situations where internet connectivity is poor, he added:

“Presiding officers simply move to a nearby location with network coverage. It is a matter of searching for signal. Upload is mandatory, and it will be done.”

Electoral Reform: ‘I Speak Only When Law Is Made’

When asked about proposed amendments to the Electoral Act currently before the National Assembly, Agboke declined to speculate.

“I don’t have an opinion. When there is law, I speak to the law. Law does not address conjecture; it addresses reality,” he said.

He added that INEC possesses the technical and administrative capacity to adjust its systems in line with any new legislation once passed.

Preparations for Osun 2026 Governorship Election

On preparations for the August 8, 2026 governorship election, the REC assured that INEC is already deep into operational planning, including logistics, training, security coordination, and public sensitisation.

“You know, if you don't talk, if you don't engage, people will not know what you are saying. They will not even understand. The trust deficit will be high. And that's why when I got the invitation for this engagement, I was so happy. Because my old guy told me that, definitely, the audience for this program, most of them, they are also, you know, living in Osun  and in Ogun. And in a particular platform, I have seen somebody like, telling our colleague, that I'm on-air, they should listen to me.”

“Election is not an event; it is a process. Our officers will be trained, ad-hoc staff recruited, logistics arranged, and security fully engaged. Osun will not be an exception,” he stated.

“Do you know that today, they are not being paid to the corps members, is nothing to write home about . And INEC is trying to look into it. So, for all those things I've mentioned, that is why a lecture is a multi-stakeholder activity.”

He disclosed that INEC is collaborating closely with the Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security (ICCES) to ensure a safe electoral environment.

“We meet regularly with all security agencies. Election is a multi-stakeholder responsibility. INEC cannot do it alone,” he said.

Vote Buying, Logistics and Transport Unions

Addressing concerns about logistics and collaboration with transport unions, Agboke defended INEC’s approach, stressing that elections require national cooperation.

“INEC cannot own fleets of buses across the country. We collaborate with transport unions like NURTW. Election is a national assignment. If anyone misbehaves, security agencies will act,” he said.

Massive Sensitisation Drive Across Osun

Agboke highlighted extensive voter education efforts across Osun, noting that he has personally led advocacy visits to traditional rulers, religious leaders, markets, security agencies, and transport unions.

“I have visited palaces, mosques, churches, markets, transport unions, and community leaders. I don’t joke with sensitisation. The more we engage, the more trust we build,” he said.

He listed visits to the palaces of the Owa Obokun of Ijesaland, Orangun of Ila, Olowu of Kuta, and plans to visit the Ooni of Ife, among others.

INEC Releases Public Contact Lines

To promote transparency and citizen engagement, Agboke released official contact numbers for INEC Osun, encouraging residents to report concerns and irregularities.

“We are open. Citizens should reach out to us. Transparency is the foundation of credible elections,” he said.

The number of PRO of INEC Osun State is 080--6596-7571, 070-4109-0585. 

WhatsApp or SMS. 080-374-35880.