INEC Warns Osun Staff Against Sabotage of BVAS, Urges Stakeholder Collaboration to Curb Electoral Malpractices

2026 governorship election in Osun State, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has issued a stern warning to its staff and ad hoc personnel, cautioning against any attempt to compromise the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS). The warning came from the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) in Osun State, Mutiu Agboke, who spoke to journalists on Sunday in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, after appearing on a live programme titled “Gbagede Oselu” on the Broadcasting Corporation of Oyo State (BCOS).

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Agboke emphasized that tampering with the BVAS devices or deliberately rendering them non-functional constitutes electoral sabotage and such acts would not be tolerated by the Commission. He encouraged citizens to report any INEC staff suspected of manipulating the voting process.

“If you notice that, don’t attack him, call security agents, and report him or her,” he said.

According to Agboke, BVAS machines, when fully charged and properly maintained, are designed to function optimally. Any failure of the system that is traced to sabotage or connivance would be met with strict legal consequences. “Such a person should be handed over to the security personnel,” he reiterated.

Electoral Fraud: A Stakeholder Problem

While reiterating INEC’s commitment to credible elections, Agboke lamented the persistent culture of electoral malpractice in Nigeria and attributed much of the blame to various stakeholders. He pointed fingers at security agencies, political parties, civil society organisations, media professionals, and religious leaders, accusing them of inaction or complicity in past election irregularities.

The REC was particularly concerned about the growing incidents of violence and vote-buying, which he described as serious threats to Nigeria’s democratic development. He called for a renewed sense of responsibility among stakeholders, asserting that the solution cannot come from INEC alone.

“Only INEC cannot curb or reduce this menace. All other stakeholders… must engage. Let them understand that you don’t need money to buy people’s conscience,” Agboke stressed.

BVAS Integrity and Rule of Law

Agboke made it clear that INEC has regulations that guide the operation of the BVAS system and the broader electoral process. Any staff member—whether full-time or ad hoc—who acts contrary to the electoral guidelines would be deemed to have violated the Commission’s rules and would be held accountable.

He emphasized that INEC would not hesitate to cooperate with law enforcement agencies to ensure offenders face the full wrath of the law. The REC noted that the integrity of the election depends significantly on the proper use of the technology tools, especially BVAS, which has been central to ensuring transparency and credibility in recent elections.

“Any INEC staff who brings up one excuse or the other as against the existing rules and regulations is contravening the rules,” he warned.

Democracy Must Be Defended

Agboke also seized the opportunity to highlight the value of democracy and called on citizens to reject financial inducement in exchange for votes. According to him, no form of government guarantees citizen participation and benefits better than democracy, and the only legitimate pathway to political leadership in such a system is through credible elections.

He urged voters to see their participation in elections not as a transaction but as a civic responsibility that defines their future.

“Your conscience will determine the direction of your votes. For me, the conversation is a continuous one; you cannot stop that,” he noted.

Call to Action for Religious and Political Leaders

The INEC commissioner called on religious leaders and community influencers to use their platforms to preach against vote-buying and violence, noting that politicians are the main beneficiaries of free and fair elections, yet they often sabotage the system they stand to gain from.

“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,” he said.

He further advised that the police leadership and security agencies speak more openly about their roles in elections and step up enforcement to deter violent political behaviour.

Engagement, Education, and Enlightenment

To tackle electoral malpractices effectively, Agboke emphasized the need for continuous voter education and engagement. He urged the media, civil society, and political stakeholders to keep citizens informed and active in discussions around electoral integrity.

According to him, civic education is crucial to changing public perception and behaviour. People must understand that they are empowered by their votes, and not by the money politicians offer them.

“We need to continue to talk to our people to believe in democracy… We must all find a solution to anything we see as an impediment,” he stated.

As the countdown to the Osun 2026 governorship election begins, INEC appears to be tightening its internal processes and setting clear expectations for both staff and stakeholders. The warnings issued by REC Mutiu Agboke reflect a broader determination by the Commission to safeguard electoral integrity through the use of technology and a more vigilant enforcement of electoral laws.

However, Agboke’s appeal also underscores the limits of what INEC can do in isolation. The effectiveness of Nigeria’s electoral system hinges on the collective effort of all democratic institutions and citizens. As vote-buying and violence continue to threaten the process, it remains to be seen whether this call to action will be embraced in the months leading up to the polls.