CITIZENS COMPASS– THE Osun State Independent National Electoral Commission, on Thursday, dismissed media reports that quoted its Resident Electoral Commissioner, Dr Mutiu Agboke, saying that there was over-voting during the July 16, 2022 governorship election in the state.
The Commission disclosed this in a statement, in Osogbo, the capital of Osun State describing the media reports as incorrect and mischievous.
It spoke through its Head of the Department, Voter Education, Publicity and Inclusivity, Mr Adewale Francis.
It reads, “The attention of the Osun State office of INEC has been drawn to media reports that the Resident Electoral Commissioner, Dr Mutiu Agboke, purportedly said that there was over-voting during the election.
“The report is incorrect and mischievous.
The REC only explained the efficacy of the Biomodal Voters Accreditation System as a device for the accreditation of voters when he visited the Oluwo of Iwo, Oba AbdulRasheed Akanbi.
“Any extrapolation to the contrary is outside the context of the statement and should be disregarded.
“We implore the media to always verify their source of information before publication,’’ he stated.
The News Agency of Nigeria reports that Dr Agboke visited Oba Akanbi in Iwo on Tuesday when he explained the workings of the BVAS machines.
He was, however, reported by some media outfits as saying the BVAS machines were used or manipulated by some INEC staff and politicians to commit over-voting during the governorship election in Osun.
An election Petition Tribunal led by Justice Terste Kume nullified the election of Gov. Ademola Adeleke of the Peoples Democratic Party on January 27.
It declared that Gboyega Oyetola of the All Progressives Congress was the actual winner of the election.
It declared also that there were over-votings in 10 of the 30 local government areas of the state during the election.
Recall that Osun State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal sitting in Osogbo sacked Governor Ademola Adeleke as the duly elected governor of the state.
The tribunal declared his opponent Adegboyega Oyetola as the authentic winner.
The tribunal in a split document of two to one ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to withdraw the Certificate of Return issued to Adeleke and issue the same to former Governor Adegboyega Oyetola.
The majority judgement which was read by the Chairman, Justice Tertse Kume
said Oyetola scored the majority lawful votes of 314,931 against Adeleke’s 219,666.
