The Independent National Electoral Commission has begun distributing Permanent Voter Cards to eligible voters ahead of the August 15, 2026 Osun State governorship election, even as the campaign organization of Governor Ademola Adeleke raised ten concerns aimed at strengthening safeguards for the poll.
According to Resident Electoral Commissioner Oluwatoyin Babalola, the exercise covers voters who registered, transferred their registration, replaced lost or damaged cards, or updated records during the recent Continuous Voter Registration exercise. Distribution will run at registration area centers from July 22 to July 28, followed by collection at local government offices from July 29 to August 7, both running daily between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. Babalola urged eligible voters to collect their cards within the window, noting that the card remains the only valid means of accreditation for the election.
At a press briefing in Osogbo, Director General of the Imole Campaign Council, Kamarudeen Oyewumi, said the council’s concerns were based on reports from accredited election observers, its own surveillance team and experiences shared by voters during recent elections, including the 2026 Federal Capital Territory Area Council election, the Ekiti State governorship election and bye elections in several states. He cited concerns including insufficient distribution of ballot papers, delays in PVC distribution, reports of pre thumb printed ballots, technical problems with the accreditation system, and voting without valid cards, as well as reports of parties without candidates appearing on ballots in past elections.
He referenced findings from observer groups including Yiaga Africa and the Nigeria Civil Society Situation Room citing vote buying, accreditation issues and breaches of ballot secrecy in earlier elections, and called for additional accreditation machines and personnel at high turnout polling units to reduce delays. He also urged INEC and security agencies to investigate allegations from some ruling party leaders regarding the preloading of accreditation devices and printing of extra result sheets ahead of the Osun election.
Separately, All Progressives Congress National Secretary Ajibola Basiru told residents of Ila that the party’s governorship candidate, Munirudeen Bola Oyebamiji, would prioritize the welfare of civil servants, support farmers and improve key sectors if elected. Speaking at a campaign rally, Basiru said monthly allocations to states have risen substantially and that Osun should use the improved funding to accelerate development, arguing that the candidate has the experience and economic understanding needed to lead the state. He said an administration under Oyebamiji would prioritize workers’ welfare, agriculture, education, healthcare and security, including efforts to address a shortage of teachers in the state.
