Adeleke Campaign Council Demands INEC Explanation Over Ebonyi REC’s Presence In State | Sahara Reporters

The council also rejected the alleged use of uncustomised ballot papers and result sheets for the election, warning that any arrangement capable of compromising the integrity, transparency or credibility of the electoral process would be resisted.

The Imole Campaign Council has demanded an immediate explanation from the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) over the reported presence of the Ebonyi State Resident Electoral Commissioner, Mrs Pauline Ugoyenka, in Osun State ahead of the August 15 governorship election.

The campaign council coordinates Osun State governor Ademola Adeleke reelection bid.

The council also rejected the alleged use of uncustomised ballot papers and result sheets for the election, warning that any arrangement capable of compromising the integrity, transparency or credibility of the electoral process would be resisted.

The campaign council, in a statement signed by Representative Bamidele Salam, Chairman, Media and Publicity Committee, and issued in Osogbo on Thursday, raised concerns over what it described as “disturbing developments” ahead of Saturday’s poll.

According to the council, Ugoyenka, an ICT expert and a close confidant of Governor Hope Uzodinma, was not on the list of Resident Electoral Commissioners deployed to Osun State for the election.

It, however, alleged that the Ebonyi REC was currently lodged at Tees Continental Hotel, Laro Timileyin Street, Ayekale, Osogbo.

The council further alleged that Ugoyenka was previously lodged at Aenon Suites, where it claimed “alleged hackers brought by APC from Lagos and Abuja are staying as part of a rigging plot.”

The Imole Campaign Council said the development raised questions about who authorised the REC’s presence in Osun and the purpose of her activities in the state.

It said, “The INEC letter dated August 3, 2026, addressed to RECs from 15 contributing states, clearly identifies the officials and states providing supervision contingents for Osun. Ebonyi State is conspicuously absent from the list.”

The council consequently asked, “So, who authorised Mrs Pauline Ugoyenka’s presence in Osun, and what exactly is she doing here?”

Describing the election as a democratic exercise rather than a covert operation, the council said INEC must immediately clarify the REC’s role, authority and activities in Osun.

“This is an election, not a covert operation. INEC must immediately explain her role, authority and activities in Osun and publish the full list of all officials deployed for the election,” it said.

The campaign council also called on the National Chairman of INEC to intervene in the matter, describing the alleged movement of a REC from her place of posting to another geopolitical zone for unofficial activities as an “ugly development.”

The council demanded Ugoyenka’s immediate exit from Osun, arguing that she was not posted to the state for official duties.

“We also seek immediate clarification from the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on why electoral materials meant specifically for the Osun governorship election would not be duly customised,” it said.

The campaign council stated that it would not accept any arrangement that could undermine the credibility of the election.

“We therefore demand immediate clarification from INEC and insist that only properly customised ballot papers and result sheets specifically produced and verified for the Osun governorship election must be used,” the council said.

It warned that anything short of the demand would raise serious questions about the credibility of the electoral process and would be resisted.