The Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Joash Amupitan, has commissioned a newly built Osun Decides Media Studio and a newly built Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) storage facility in Osogbo.
The INEC boss commissioned the facilities on Tuesday, July 28th, 2026, during a working visit to the INEC State office in Osogbo, where he also met with Electoral Officers and other staff of the Commission.
The visit followed a courtesy call by the INEC delegation on the Ooni of Ife, Oba Enitan Ogunwusi.
He described both projects as a major boost to the Commission’s readiness for the August 15 Osun State governorship election.
While addressing staff, the Chairman announced plans to introduce cash rewards and foreign travel incentives for personnel who distinguish themselves during the election, describing the initiative as part of the Commission’s continued investment in staff welfare.
“I welcome you. We are just coming from the palace of the Ooni of Ife and the expectation on INEC is very high. We have to do everything possible within our powers, within our abilities to bring down this tension,” he said.
“You are members, you are staff, you know you have something to offer. As the chairman and the Commissioners, our role is to be able to tap your brains and ensure that you are able to solve every problem that confronts you.”
Prof. Amupitan said the Commission was fully committed to delivering a free, fair and credible election in Osun, with the support of ad-hoc staff to be recruited for the exercise.
He noted that in the nine months since he assumed office, INEC had successfully conducted major elections in Anambra, the FCT and Ekiti, along with about 11 bye-elections nationwide, all without dispute.
“It was just two weeks after assumption of office, we had the Anambra election. Two months after that, we had the FCT election. Another two months, we had an Ekiti election. Here we are again, talking about the off-cycle Osun State governorship election. In all these elections we have had in the past nine months, we have seen the finger and the hand of God,” he said.
The INEC Chairman also spoke on the Commission’s ongoing efforts to strengthen the security of its personnel and materials, noting that INEC was working closely with the Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security, ICCES, and the National Peace Committee to ensure a peaceful process in Osun.
“The security of our staff and our voters remains our top priority, and we are taking all necessary measures to safeguard our facilities and materials,” he stated.
On sustainable financing for electoral operations, the Chairman called for continued support to match the scale of the Commission’s responsibilities.
“We need to find a sustainable way of financing our operations. When the course of conducting a state election is even more than the state governorship election, it’s more than the course of conducting a federal election, as vast as any presidential election would be,” he said.
He listed peace as the second key index of a successful election, adding that the Commission remained vigilant against misinformation and disinformation in the lead-up to polling day.
“In light of the incident of disinformation and misinformation that comes during such an election, that is a trigger for us; let us learn how to manage such situations,” he said. “Our responsibility is to ensure that the election atmosphere is free, is credible, and is conclusive. To protect our staff, our officials, and the people that are coming to work.”
The National Commissioner supervising Osun State, Prof. Kunle Ajayi, commended the Chairman’s welfarist disposition and assured staff of continued improvements to their welfare.
“I want to say that we are lucky at this very critical time to have our honourable chairman at the head of the Commission. Our honourable chairman is a great welfarist person. He is pro-staff,” Prof. Ajayi said.
He affirmed the Commission’s readiness for the election, citing a dedicated and committed workforce. “As the record says, we are prepared for the 2026 election. We have a group of dedicated staff. They are committed and loyal to the commission. The record says free, fair and inclusive. I want to add another element, it will be conclusive,” he said.
The Resident Electoral Commissioner for Osun State, Barrister Oluwatoyin Babalola, assured the Chairman that staff in the state were ready for the task ahead.
“Osun State must set the standard: every decision we make, every detail we configure, every material we account for, and every polling unit we manage to shape the public trust in Nigeria’s democratic process,” she said.
“I am honoured to state that your presence here today is a powerful motivation for the staff, encouraging them to perform their duties diligently and strive for a successful election. I assure you, the staff of INEC in Osun State are prepared and conscious of the responsibilities that come with the electoral process.”
She urged staff to approach their duties with integrity and commitment.
“Let us approach our duties with renewed vigour, patriotism and unyielding integrity. We pledge that, by the special grace of God, we will conduct a free, fair, credible, inclusive and transparent election for Nigeria,” Babalola said.
The INEC Chairman is expected to hold further engagements with security agencies and stakeholders in Osun ahead of the August 15 governorship election.
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