The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has reaffirmed its commitment to delivering transparent, peaceful, and credible elections in the forthcoming Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Area Council polls scheduled for February and the Osun State governorship election slated for August. The assurance was given by senior officials of the commission during its 2026 Induction and Strategic Retreat held in Lagos.

Resident Electoral Commissioners (RECs) for Osun State and the FCT, Dr. Mutiu Agboke and Mr. Aminu Idris respectively, made the commitment while speaking on the sidelines of the retreat organised for INEC’s newly appointed National Chairman, National Commissioners, and RECs. The officials stressed that the commission’s priority is to ensure that every valid vote counts.

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Speaking with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), Dr. Agboke assured residents of Osun State that the commission would strictly adhere to the rule of law in conducting the governorship election. According to him, INEC is determined to rebuild and sustain public confidence in the electoral process through transparency and professionalism.

“The determination of INEC in the coming election is to ensure that people’s votes count,” Agboke said. “The chairman was clear about the rule of law and people’s votes. In our state, there is not going to be any exception.”

INEC highlights vote- buying, violence as major threats

Agboke explained that lessons learned from previous elections, including the recent Anambra governorship poll, would guide preparations in Osun. He added that experiences from the February FCT Area Council elections and the forthcoming Ekiti governorship election would also be useful in strengthening electoral processes.

According to him, continuous engagement with stakeholders remains a key strategy in preventing election-related violence. He noted that INEC in Osun regularly holds quarterly meetings with political stakeholders to promote peaceful participation in the democratic process.

“And we have been doing it in Osun; we organise stakeholders’ engagement quarterly,” he said. “That is why Osun didn’t record any issue after party primaries conducted recently. The atmosphere was very peaceful.”

However, Agboke identified vote-buying and electoral violence as the two major challenges confronting elections in Nigeria. He called on political parties, civil society groups, and other stakeholders to work collectively with INEC to address the problems.

“INEC has no money to distribute on election day. INEC does not have weapons to give to anybody on election day,” he stated. He also raised concerns about voter apathy, urging political parties and their spokespersons to do more to mobilise voters and restore confidence in the electoral system.

“The important thing is assurance, reassurance, and the confidence of the people to buy into the election,” Agboke added, stressing that Nigerians must abandon the narrative that nothing good can come from INEC.

On his part, the FCT REC, Mr. Aminu Idris, said the commission was fully prepared for the Area Council elections scheduled for Feb. 21. He disclosed that INEC had already implemented most activities outlined in its election timetable.

“The most important thing coming up in the next one week or so is the release of copies of the register to political parties and the collection of Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs),” Idris said. He added that PVCs from the Continuous Voter Registration exercise, as well as previously uncollected cards, would be available for collection from Jan. 15.

Idris expressed optimism that voter turnout would be higher than in previous FCT elections and assured residents that the polls would be conducted peacefully. He said the retreat served as a reminder of INEC’s strategic objective of conducting free, fair, and credible elections nationwide.

The event, NAN reports, was attended by senior INEC officials from the 36 states of the federation and the FCT, underscoring the commission’s resolve to strengthen Nigeria’s democratic process.