The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Osun State has refuted claims that underage people were registered as voters in the Ede North Local Government Area of the state.
The rebuttal was contained in a statement signed by Musa Olurode, the Public Affairs Officer for Osun INEC, and retrieved in Osogbo on Monday.
In a written statement, the Commission “noted with concern a social media post circulating on Facebook alleging that underage persons dressed in school uniforms were registered as voters at the INEC Local Government Office in Ede North on Friday, 6th February, 2026.”
It did, however, reject the accusation, calling it “false and misleading.”
The statement further read, “While it is correct that some students of YTD Grammar School, Ojoro Ede, Osun State, in uniforms were brought to INEC Ede North Local Government Office on the said date with the intention of registering, the Electoral Officer and other officials on duty, acting in strict compliance with the law, refused them entry into the office premises. Consequently, no underage person was registered.”
Osun INEC reiterated that, in accordance with the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended) and the Electoral Act of 2022, only Nigerian citizens over the age of 18 are eligible to register as voters, and that its officials are under strict instructions to enforce this provision without exception.
The Commission promised the people of Osun that it will not engage in, condone, or allow any conduct that could jeopardize the credibility and integrity of the voter registration system.
It urged the public to “disregard the said social media post and to rely on information from official INEC Osun State communication channels for accurate and verified updates on its activities.”
It also urged stakeholders, such as parents, guardians, school administrators, and community leaders, to help INEC by educating young people about the legal criteria for voter registration.
As preparations for the August 8 Osun governorship election ramp up, social media platforms have proven useful in disseminating information by political parties and individuals.
Ademola Adeleke, the incumbent governor from the Ede North local government area, is running for re-election on the Accord Party platform.
He is being challenged in the race by candidates from a variety of political groups, including Bola Oyebamiji, the immediate past Managing Director of the National Inland Waterways Authority, who is running on the All Progressive Congress platform.
Dr. Najeem Salaam, a former Speaker of the state House of Assembly, is also competing in the election under the African Democratic Congress banner.
