Osun APC Denies Interference in INEC Staff Transfers as Political Tension Mounts Ahead of 2026 Gubernatorial Polls

Osun APC denies that Gboyega Oyetola influenced INEC staff changes. Read about the row between the House of Assembly and the APC ahead of the 2026 polls.

By: AXL Media

Published: Apr 11, 2026, 3:56 AM EDT

Source: Information for this report was sourced from Daily Post Nigeria.

A Categorical Denial of Executive Meddling

The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Osun State has issued a sharp rebuttal to claims made by the State House of Assembly regarding the internal operations of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). In a statement released by Kola Olabisi, the party’s Director of Media and Information, the APC characterized accusations against the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Gboyega Oyetola, as baseless. The party asserted that it has no jurisdiction or interest in the internal administrative maneuvers of the electoral umpire, emphasizing that such matters are governed strictly by federal electoral laws.

Legislative Concerns Over Electoral Integrity

The controversy was ignited by Speaker Adewale Egbedun, who led a press conference in Osogbo to voice concerns over what the Assembly described as suspicious staff movements. The lawmakers highlighted the sudden redeployment of Dr. Mutiu Agboke, the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) for Osun, as a potential threat to the integrity of the forthcoming elections. The Assembly further alleged that a broader sweep of redeployments—targeting Administrative Secretaries, ICT staff, and Electoral Officers—was being orchestrated to favor specific political interests.

The Context of the REC’s Redeployment

The removal of Dr. Mutiu Agboke follows a period of intense scrutiny and petitions directed at INEC Chairman Prof. Joash Amupitan. Reports indicate that multiple political parties, including the APC and the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), had previously called for Agboke’s redeployment, citing concerns over alleged partisanship. While the Assembly views the timing as suspicious, the APC argued that staff transfers are a standard procedure within INEC and have occurred historically without legislative interference.