THE Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Osun State, yesterday, dismissed the allegation of registering underage persons in the hometown of Governor Ademola Adeleke, the candidate of the Accord Party (AP) for the 2026 governorship election.
INEC, in a statement signed by Musa Olurode, the Public Affairs Officer for the Resident Electoral Commissioner, Mutiu Agboke, noted with concern a social media post circulating on Facebook alleging that underage persons dressed in school uniforms were registered as voters at the INEC Local Government Office in Ede North on Friday, February 6, 2026.

“The Commission wishes to categorically refute this allegation as false and misleading. While it is correct that some students of YTD Grammar School, Ojoro Ede, Osun State, in uniforms were brought to INEC Ede North Local Government Office on the said date with the intention of registering, the electoral officer and other officials on duty, acting in strict compliance with the law, refused them entry into the office premises. Consequently, no underage person was registered,” the commission noted.
The Commission, therefore, reiterated that, in line with the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended) and the Electoral Act, 2022, only Nigerian citizens who have attained the age of 18 years are eligible to be registered as voters.
It, however, assured the people of the state that INEC in Osun State, under the leadership of the Resident Electoral Commissioner, Mutiu Agboke, will not engage in, condone, or permit any action capable of compromising the credibility and integrity of the voter registration process.

Besides, INEC urged members of the public to disregard the said social media post and to rely on information from official INEC Osun State communication channels for accurate and verified updates on its activities.
The Commission also called on stakeholders, including parents, guardians, school authorities, and community leaders, to support it by sensitising young persons on the legal requirements for voter registration.

“INEC remains committed to conducting all its statutory responsibilities with transparency, professionalism, and strict adherence to the law,” the statement stated.