Reported by: Ijeoma G | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
Suspected political thugs on Sunday attacked a Permanent Voter Card distribution centre in Okuku, headquarters of Odo-Otin Local Government Area of Osun State, carting away packs of the cards in a brazen disruption of the electoral process just weeks before the state's governorship election. The incident occurred at the Oyinlola DC Primary School, Ward 2, where officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission were peacefully distributing Permanent Voter Cards to eligible voters ahead of the August 15 governorship poll, according to multiple reports.
Eyewitnesses said about eight to ten armed hoodlums stormed the venue, firing sporadically into the air to scare away INEC officials and prospective voters before making away with packs of PVCs. A resident of Okuku, identified simply as Gbadebo, told Punch that the perpetrators entered the premises unnoticed and went straight to where the cards were kept. "They shot into the air and disrupted the exercise. Some of us fled in different directions, and they went straight to where the INEC staff kept the PVCs and made away with some packs," he said. The attack triggered panic as people at the scene ran in different directions, while the hoodlums escaped before police could arrive.
The Osun State Police Command confirmed the attack, with spokesperson SP Abiodun Ojelabi stating that about ten armed thugs invaded the distribution centre, fired sporadically, and carted away three packs of PVCs. Commissioner of Police Ibrahim Gotan has condemned the incident and directed a comprehensive investigation to identify, arrest, and prosecute those responsible. The command has deployed tactical and intelligence teams to track down the suspects and recover the stolen voter cards. "The Command reiterates its unwavering commitment to professionalism and strict adherence to the rule of law in the discharge of its constitutional responsibilities. Members of the public are urged to remain calm, law-abiding, and refrain from any action capable of causing a further breach of the peace," Ojelabi said.
The attack has sparked a war of words between political parties in the state. Speaker of the Osun State House of Assembly, Hon. Adewale Egbedun, through his Chief Press Secretary, fingered the opposition All Progressives Congress for perpetrating the invasion, describing the incident as a grave assault on Nigeria's democracy and the sanctity of the electoral process. He called on security agencies to launch an immediate, thorough, and impartial investigation. However, the APC, through the head of media of its campaign council, Oluremi Omowaiye, accused Egbedun of bankrolling hoodlums to disrupt the distribution exercise. "It is obvious that the Accord Party is losing it every day; hence, its party leader in Odo-Otin, the Speaker, Egbedun, who is known for assaulting people, including his king, recruited thugs to the collection points for disruption," Omowaiye said, urging security agencies to arrest Egbedun.
INEC's Resident Electoral Commissioner in the state, Mrs Oluwatoyin Babalola, also condemned the attack and confirmed that she was awaiting a detailed report to ascertain the exact number of PVCs stolen. "As I speak to you, I am waiting for the report of the attack. I cannot say the number of PVCs that were taken away. We want to ascertain the numbers," she said. Babalola assured the people of Osun State that the governorship election would be free, fair, credible, inclusive and transparent, despite the disruption. The police have appealed to residents and eyewitnesses with credible information that could assist the investigation to promptly report to the nearest police station or contact the command through its emergency lines.
The attack comes at a critical time as Osun State prepares for its governorship election on August 15, 2026, with political tensions running high across the state. The theft of PVCs raises concerns about potential voter disenfranchisement and the integrity of the electoral process, as the cards remain the only valid means of accreditation for voting on election day. The police have assured residents of their commitment to protecting lives and property as well as maintaining peace and public order across the state, while urging the public to remain calm and law-abiding.
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