The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has suspended the Electoral Officer (EO) in Akure North Local Government Area of Ondo State, Mrs Mobolade Akole, indefinitely over alleged absence from duty and dereliction of official responsibilities.
Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) in Ondo State, Dr Mutiu Agboke, also directed Electoral Officers 1 and 3 in the local government to step aside with immediate effect.
The disciplinary action followed an unscheduled inspection of INEC offices in Akure North and Akure South by Agboke as part of efforts to assess staff performance and strengthen the commission’s operational readiness ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Agboke subsequently appointed the administrative officer, Bisi Farokanmi, as Acting Electoral Officer for Akure North, directing her to take immediate charge of the commission’s activities in the local government.
The REC announced the decisions while speaking with journalists during an inspection of election materials and facilities at the INEC State Headquarters in Akure, as well as its offices in Akure North and Akure South.
According to reports from the inspection, Agboke expressed displeasure when he arrived at the Akure North office and found the Electoral Officer and Assistant Electoral Officers absent from their duty posts.
He described the absence as irresponsible and a serious breach of official responsibility, warning that such conduct would not be tolerated, particularly as INEC intensifies preparations for the 2027 elections and continues the nationwide collection of Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs).
The inspection also covered the commission’s operations at Akure South, where the situation was markedly different.
Agboke and his team met all staff members at their duty posts and actively engaged in their official responsibilities.
He also inspected the office store and expressed satisfaction with its level of organisation and orderliness.
Speaking after the exercise, Agboke described Akure South as the premier local government area in Ondo State, citing its strategic importance, population and status as the state capital.
He reaffirmed INEC’s preparedness for the 2027 general elections, saying the commission had commenced the receipt and distribution of non-sensitive election materials to its local government offices.
INEC’s disciplinary action comes amid intensified preparations for the 2027 polls.
The commission has recently stepped up training, election monitoring and security-risk management activities across Ondo State, with officials from all 18 local government areas involved in preparations.
INEC’s official election timetable shows that the presidential and National Assembly elections are scheduled for January 16, 2027, while governorship and State House of Assembly elections will hold on February 6, 2027.
