The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has warned that no form of election malpractice would be tolerated in future elections across the country urging all stakeholders to collaborate to oversee to that.
The Resident Electoral Commissioner in Osun State, Mutiu Agboke, made the call while speaking with journalists after appearing on the political programme Gbagede Oselu on the Broadcasting Corporation of Oyo State in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, on Sunday.
Agboke decried the increasing fraud that goes on with elections across Nigeria questioning the roles played by the media, security agencies, civil society organisations, the political class, and religious leaders.
The commissioner called on key players to see to the advancement of Nigeria’s democracy by commiting to their duties rightly just as he urged stakeholders to lead in educating the public on the electoral process.
Agboke further stated that the INEC would continue its campaign against what he described as ‘cankerworm trying to buy minds of the people’.
He said; “So, for us (INEC), we will continue to campaign against the cankerworm of trying to buy the minds of the people. That’s number one. Number two, even if you have the money, people still believe they can deploy violence to gain an advantage.
“There is nothing you can do to curb it other than to continue engaging stakeholders and discouraging them from unleashing terror. We need to continue talking to our people to believe in democracy.
“Let me tell you, in the whole world, there is no government that is better for the electorate, for the masses, than a democratic government. And the only process by which someone can attain this democratic position is through elections. We must all find solutions to any impediments.
“All other stakeholders—the media, civil society organisations, the political class, especially the political class—we must engage them. Let them understand that you don’t need money to buy people’s conscience.
“Our people’s conscience must be addressed. Let’s talk to them. I know poverty is widespread. I know deprivation exists everywhere. But when they bring money, tell them you don’t need their money to vote. Your conscience should determine the direction of your vote. For me, the conversation is a continuous one—you cannot stop that.”
Agboke further called on religious leaders and political actors to join their efforts to ensure that the integrity of elections are preserved going on.
He further urged all leaders in different areas of life in Nigeria to stand up to their roles.
He added; “After INEC, invite the Commissioner of Police, the Inter-Party Advisory Council, principal CSOs, religious leaders—Christians and Muslims—let them come and explain the roles they are playing. We should not just stay in mosques or churches.
“These are the things we want to hear. Call the political parties, call the politicians. They are the beneficiaries of all these efforts we are making. Politicians are the ones who benefit the most.”
On the Osun State governorship election in 2026, the electoral commissioner stated that the regulations of the commission (INEC) are very clear and any offender should be reported to security agencies.
According to him, the commission has stipulated how machines should work during elections and any staff who tries to do otherwise would not be spared
He urged voters to be on the lookout for any misbehaviour by any INEC staff during election as he advised against attacking them but reporting them to the security agencies.
He explained; “If you notice that, don’t attack him. Call the security agents and report him or her. For example, the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS), which must be fully charged, is expected to function optimally.
“In other words, with a fully charged BVAS, it should work without difficulty. But where a particular staff member colludes with others to make the BVAS fail, then that person has compromised the process and should be handed over to security personnel.”
