Abuja/Osogbo – August 16, 2026:
The Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Professor Joash Amupitan, SAN, has formally closed the #OsunDecides2026 Situation Room following the successful conclusion of the Osun State Governorship Election and the declaration of results in the early hours of Sunday, August 16, 2026.
The Situation Room served as INEC’s central monitoring centre and oversight hub. It coordinated real-time tracking of the electoral process across Osun State’s 30 local government areas, 332 registration areas and 3,763 polling units.
Addressing staff at the facility, Professor Amupitan expressed deep appreciation for their dedication, sacrifice and professionalism. He specifically praised personnel at the Commission’s headquarters, Osun State and local government offices, field staff at the polling units, and members of the technical teams.
He noted that many staff worked long hours, often sacrificing time with their families and operating under demanding conditions, to ensure the election’s success and protect the integrity of the process. He also attributed the largely peaceful atmosphere during the poll to “the grace and protection of Almighty God.”
Professor Amupitan described the Osun election as “a milestone, not a destination.” He stressed that the lessons and experience gained must guide the Commission’s preparations for the 2027 general elections. He urged staff to sustain high levels of vigilance, transparency, professionalism and commitment, while remaining strictly neutral in their duties.
“Let us learn from our experience, refine our strategies and approach the upcoming national task with renewed vigour and absolute neutrality. Let us remain steadfast in our duty, knowing that we are the gatekeepers of our nation’s democracy,” he said.
With those remarks, the INEC Chairman formally declared the Situation Room closed, ending the Commission’s central monitoring and oversight operations for the off-cycle election.
Earlier on Sunday, the State Returning Officer, Professor Joshua Ogunwole, declared incumbent Governor Ademola Adeleke of the Accord Party the winner. Adeleke polled 511,067 votes to defeat his closest rival, Bola Oyebamiji of the All Progressives Congress (APC), who scored 444,815 votes. The African Democratic Congress (ADC) candidate, Najeem Salaam, came third with 17,180 votes.
The August 15, 2026, election was the first major off-cycle poll conducted under Professor Amupitan’s leadership since he assumed office as INEC Chairman in October 2025. Insights from the exercise are expected to inform operational improvements ahead of the 2027 general elections.
About the Author
