Osun State Office of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) recently played host to a delegation from the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) during a courtesy visit to the Resident Anti-Corruption Commissioner (RACC), Prince Olatunji Yusuf.
The INEC team was led by the newly appointed Resident Electoral Commissioner, Mrs. Oluwatoyin Babalola. In her opening remarks, she explained that the visit was designed to reinforce the existing synergy between both Commissions and to explore avenues for deeper collaboration ahead of forthcoming electoral activities in the state.
Mrs. Babalola commended the ICPC for its steadfast role in safeguarding transparency, while also highlighting INEC’s ongoing efforts to conduct free, fair, and credible elections. She noted that significant progress had been recorded in the prosecution of electoral offenders involved in malpractices such as vote buying and selling, ballot box snatching, and other electoral violations. Emphasising the importance of joint action, she stated that as Osun State prepares for its upcoming gubernatorial election, INEC seeks the continued support and partnership of the ICPC to sustain and deepen electoral transparency and credibility.
Responding, the Resident Anti-Corruption Commissioner, Prince Olatunji Yusuf, expressed sincere appreciation for the visit and lauded INEC’s proactive commitment to electoral integrity. He reaffirmed the ICPC’s readiness to collaborate with INEC in line with its statutory mandate to prevent and combat corruption in all its forms.
Prince Yusuf noted that the ICPC remains actively engaged in electoral observation and monitoring, with a particular focus on deterring vote buying and other forms of electoral corruption. He recalled the Commission’s active participation during previous electoral exercises, including the last governorship election and the 2023 Presidential and National Assembly elections, during which ICPC operatives were deployed across polling units nationwide.
He further stressed that strengthening the prosecution of electoral offenders is vital to achieving effective deterrence. In his view, this underscores the urgent need for closer collaboration among the ICPC, INEC, law enforcement agencies, and the judiciary. He emphasised that consolidating the gains already made requires sustained partnership, strategic engagement, and an unwavering commitment to transparency, accountability, and good governance.
The visit concluded with the presentation of Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) materials and a group photograph to commemorate the occasion.