The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has announced that its primary focus is now on the upcoming 2026 gubernatorial election in Osun State, according to the state's Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Dr. Mutiu Agboke.

Dr. Agboke made this revelation on Tuesday while receiving a delegation from the National Orientation Agency (NOA), Osun State Directorate, led by State Director Stephen Adefarasin Adebiyi, during a familiarization visit to the INEC office in Osogbo.

"My focus for the Osun 2026 gubernatorial election is that we need to reorientate the people's perception about what election is," Dr. Agboke stated, emphasizing the need for public education on electoral matters.

The REC highlighted the crucial role of NOA in achieving successful elections, describing the agency as "one of the pillars of success of any INEC conducted election." He noted that the partnership between INEC and NOA has yielded positive results in the past and expressed confidence that Osun State would not be an exception.

"Towards the 2026 gubernatorial election and 2027 general elections, we should be able to do more than what we have done," he added.

Dr. Agboke revealed that the timetable for the Osun gubernatorial election is expected to be released by June 2025. He stressed the importance of upholding INEC's mandate during election advocacy and ensuring that the voices of the electorate are heard.

"In our advocacy, we must stand by our mandate and we must allow the people's voice to be heard during the election," the REC emphasized.

Calling for a renewed commitment to partnership between INEC and NOA, Dr. Agboke urged the orientation agency to actively engage with the electorate to address election-related challenges, including violence and vote buying.

"We need engagement to reduce violence, the tendency to be violent, and the issue of vote buying. I want people to see us," he stated, encouraging grassroots mobilization beyond formal engagements.

In response, NOA State Director Stephen Adefarasin Adebiyi commended the working relationship with INEC and praised the positive changes in Osun's electoral landscape since Dr. Agboke assumed office.

"Since Osun's inception, there was no free and fair election. Good election results in the state started occurring in recent years. Voter education has been comprehensive and the state has been elevated nationally," Adebiyi remarked.

The NOA Director requested deeper collaboration on public sensitization efforts and assured INEC of the agency's readiness to work at both state and local government levels.

"Please carry us along before you embark on any sensitisation. Charge us, you'd see we are ready to work. Our field officers are ready to work with your officers at the local government level," he said.

Adebiyi emphasized NOA's constitutional duty and expressed optimism about Nigeria's democratic development, stressing the importance of maintaining relationships between the government and the people through reciprocal actions.