The Committee for the Defence of Human Rights has raised the alarm over the recent redeployment of the Resident Electoral Commissioner in Osun State, warning that the move could undermine confidence in the forthcoming 2026 governorship election.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, the group expressed concern over the transfer of the REC, Dr. Mutiu Agboke, at what it described as a critical period in the state’s electoral process.
The rights body noted that while the Independent National Electoral Commission has the constitutional authority to redeploy its officials, the timing of the decision had generated “widespread suspicion and tension” among political stakeholders in Osun.
According to the group, the development has further heightened an already charged political atmosphere, with reports of protests trailing the appointment of a new REC, Mrs. Toyin Babalola.
The CDHR cautioned that such early warning signs must not be ignored, stressing that INEC’s credibility would be judged not only by its assurances but by its actions in sensitive moments.
The statement read in part, “The situation in Osun calls for strict monitoring. INEC’s preparedness to conduct a free, fair and credible election will be defined not only by its assurances but, more importantly, by its actions and inactions.”
To douse rising tension and restore public confidence, the group urged INEC to reconsider the appointment and deploy a neutral replacement from outside the South-West region, preferably from the North or South-East.
It argued that such a move would help address allegations of bias and reinforce the commission’s image as an impartial electoral umpire.
The CDHR warned that failure to take precautionary measures could validate growing suspicions about INEC’s neutrality and erode trust in the electoral process ahead of the 2026 governorship poll.
Reaffirming its commitment to democratic principles, the organisation called on the electoral body to act in the interest of fairness, transparency and national cohesion.
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