The Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Osun State, Dr. Mutiu Agboke, has issued a firm warning against the registration of underaged persons and non-Nigerian citizens ahead of the Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) exercise scheduled to commence this August.
During a sensitisation visit to the palace of the Olowu of Kuta, Oba Hammed Adekunle Oyelude Makama, on Wednesday, Dr. Agboke emphasized that such actions are criminal offences under the Electoral Act, calling for increased vigilance and cooperation among stakeholders.
“Don’t allow minors and underaged to go and register. If caught, it is punishable. Any foreigner living around us cannot register unless they’re legally Nigerians,” he said.
The Osun REC reiterated that the CVR is a free process and warned against any attempt to commercialize it. “The registration is a free service. Nobody is collecting any kobo,” he added.
Dr. Agboke noted that the exercise provides an opportunity for voters to correct errors from past registrations and cautioned against double registration, describing it as another punishable offence under the Electoral Act.
According to him, online registration is set to begin on August 18, while physical registration and biometric capturing will commence across INEC offices in Osun State from August 25.
“The reason for both processes is to prevent disenfranchisement, which is common on election day,” he explained.
He urged the traditional ruler to mobilize his community to participate fully in the registration process. “We want Kabiyesi to tell our people to go out and register. Registration is very important. Without PVC, you cannot vote. By early 2026, we will visit all traditional rulers because they are key stakeholders of INEC,” Dr. Agboke said.
In his response, the Olowu of Kuta, Oba Hammed Adekunle Oyelude Makama, expressed his full support for the initiative and assured that traditional institutions would assist in mobilising grassroots participation.
“All what you came for is like training the trainer. What will make your job to be felt is what we will do. We will carry the advocacy to every resident. We will also call on politicians to cooperate during the exercise. We believe that INEC will carry out this exercise and succeed in it,” the monarch stated.
In a separate visit to the Osun State Command of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Dr. Agboke sought the cooperation of the agency in ensuring security throughout the registration exercise.
“We are here to leverage the cooperation between the two agencies and to solicit support for the security of electoral officers during the exercise. Anything can happen that may want to disturb the exercise. We want your men to be around to forestall such,” he said.
Responding, the NSCDC Osun Commandant, Sotiyo Emmanuel Igbalawole, assured INEC of the corps’ readiness to support the CVR process.
“Though the police is the lead agency, part of our mandate is to monitor elections. We will be on ground for the CVR and will direct our Divisional Officers throughout the state to be on the lookout,” he said.
Commandant Igbalawole added that the corps would increase its vigilance towards the end of the registration period to ensure smooth operations and contribute to the successful conduct of the 2026 elections.
