The Osun election Situation Room has been formally closed by the Independent National Electoral Commission following the conclusion of the August 15 governorship election and the declaration of results. INEC announced the closure on Sunday through a statement published on its official X account.
The commission’s Chairman, Prof. Joash Amupitan, SAN, commended staff for their commitment throughout the electoral process. He recognised personnel at the commission’s headquarters, Osun State office and local government offices, as well as those deployed to polling units and technical teams.
According to the commission, many staff members worked long hours under demanding conditions, sacrificing time with their families to support the election. Amupitan also attributed the peaceful conduct of the election to the grace and protection of Almighty God.
The INEC chairman described the Osun election Situation Room exercise as a milestone rather than the final destination.
He said the experience gained from the election should guide the commission’s preparations for the 2027 general election. Amupitan urged staff to maintain vigilance, transparency and professionalism while remaining strictly neutral in carrying out their responsibilities.
“Let us learn from our experience, refine our strategies and approach the upcoming national task with renewed vigour and absolute neutrality,” he said.
He further reminded staff that the commission had a critical responsibility as the institution entrusted with protecting Nigeria’s democratic process.
The chairman also encouraged personnel to remain committed to INEC and recognise their role in sustaining democracy. Following the address, the commission formally closed the Osun Situation Room, bringing its central monitoring and oversight activities for the governorship election to an end.
The closure came after the State Returning Officer, Prof. Joshua Ogunwole, declared Governor Ademola Adeleke winner of the election at about 7:24am on Sunday.
Adeleke, who contested under the Accord Party, secured 511,067 votes. His closest challenger, the All Progressives Congress candidate, Bola Oyebamiji, polled 444,815 votes. The result showed Adeleke winning 19 of Osun State’s 30 local government areas, while Oyebamiji secured victory in the remaining 11.
With the election concluded, attention now shifts towards the lessons arising from the exercise and the broader preparations for the 2027 general election. INEC said the experience should strengthen its strategies and reinforce its commitment to neutrality, transparency and professionalism in future elections.
