By Lateef Ibrahim
The outgoing Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Osun State, Mutiu Agboke, has charged staff of the commission to uphold electoral integrity and ensure that election outcomes reflect the will of the electorate.
Agboke gave the advice during his farewell address at a handover ceremony held in Osogbo on Tuesday.
He cautioned electoral officials against engaging in malpractice, stressing the need for professionalism and strict adherence to due process in carrying out their responsibilities.
According to him, INEC officials must continually reassure voters that their votes will count, noting that the commission is constitutionally mandated to conduct credible elections.
“Always assure the voters that their votes would definitely count because INEC as a body is created by law to make votes count at all times,” he said.
The outgoing commissioner warned that any process that determines election winners outside the will of the people would undermine democratic values and worsen voter apathy.
“Any other thing determining the winner of an election would not only be antithetical to democratic values but increase apathy in the political space,” he added.
Agboke also urged staff to resist undue influence and maintain professional ethics, warning of the consequences of compromising their integrity.
Reflecting on his tenure, he expressed gratitude to staff and stakeholders for their support, acknowledging differing views about his leadership style while maintaining that his actions were guided by a commitment to due process and credible elections.
“To some, Agboke was too tough. To others, too soft. Whatever perception you have, it was all in the name of instilling the spirit to do the right thing,” he said.
He reiterated his commitment to the principles of transparency and accountability, stating that he would uphold the same standards under any circumstance.
Also speaking, the Osun INEC Administrative Secretary, Victoria Temitayo Adelusi, described Agboke as a transformative leader who strengthened the commission’s operations in the state.
She commended his role in the ongoing Continuous Voter Registration exercise, noting that Osun has consistently ranked among the top-performing states nationwide.
Agboke, who assumed office in November 2022, was recently redeployed to Ondo State as part of INEC’s routine administrative changes.
