The Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Joash Amupitan, SAN, has warned Supervisory Presiding Officers (SPOs) to be deployed for the Osun off-cycle election against allowing politicians to compromise their neutrality, insisting that materials must not be delayed, diverted, or released in instalments during the exercise.
Prof. Amupitan gave the warning on Friday , 31st July, 2026, during a working visit to SPOs undergoing training at the Ataoja School of Science, Osogbo, alongside National Commissioners and other senior officials of the Commission, in the concluding leg of his readiness tour of the state.
He charged the officers to strictly adhere to instructions contained in the Commission’s manuals and guidelines, cautioning them against any conduct outside approved procedures. He likened the training to a classroom experience where only verified instructions should be trusted, stressing that the facilitator’s teachings aligned with INEC’s official guidelines.
The INEC Chairman directed that election materials and personnel must be at polling units by 7.30 a.m., to ensure voting commences promptly at 8.30 a.m., warning against any form of delay.
“No delay of materials on your part, no diversion of materials, and please don’t allow politicians to use you,” he said.
Prof. Amupitan described the Osun election as significant, being the last off-cycle governorship election before the 2027 general elections, and noted that public attention would be focused on the SPOs as representatives of the Commission, despite not being INEC staff.
He urged the officers to conduct the election peacefully and in strict compliance with electoral guidelines, to earn the confidence and appreciation of Nigerians. He further disclosed plans to reward SPOs who perform creditably in the exercise.
