The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Osun State has firmly rejected allegations that underage individuals were registered as voters during the ongoing Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) exercise in Ede North Local Government Area. The commission described the claims as “false and misleading,” insisting that no underage person was added to the voter register.
The rebuttal was contained in a statement issued on Monday, February 9, 2026, by Musa Olurode, the Public Affairs Officer of Osun INEC, following the circulation of a viral social media post on Facebook. The post alleged that students dressed in school uniforms were taken to the INEC local government office on Friday, February 6 and registered as voters, a claim the commission vehemently denied.
“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 statement said.
INEC reiterated that only Nigerian citizens who have attained the age of 18 years are legally eligible to be registered as voters, as stipulated by the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended) and the Electoral Act, 2022. According to the commission, its officials were under clear instructions to enforce this legal requirement without exception.
The statement underscored INEC’s commitment to protecting the credibility and integrity of the voter registration process, assuring residents that it would neither engage in nor condone any action capable of undermining public confidence in the electoral system.
INEC also urged the public to “disregard the said social media post and rely on information from official INEC Osun State communication channels for accurate and verified updates on its activities.” Furthermore, the commission called on parents, guardians, school authorities and community leaders to help sensitise young people about the legal requirements for voter registration.
The clarification comes as activities towards the August 8, 2026 Governorship election in Osun State begin to intensify. Incumbent Governor Ademola Adeleke, who hails from Ede North, is seeking reelection under the Accord Party. He faces challengers from other parties, including the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the African Democratic Congress (ADC).
