Reported by: Oahimire Omone Precious | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
With just two days until the Osun State governorship election, the Independent National Electoral Commission has released the final figures of Permanent Voter Cards collected across the state, confirming that 1,906,390 registered voters – representing 81.50 per cent of the total 2,339,233 registered voters – will be eligible to cast their ballots on Saturday, August 15, 2026. The remaining 426,842 PVCs, representing 18.50 per cent, remain uncollected and have been deposited with the Central Bank of Nigeria in line with the commission's established practice.
The announcement, made on Thursday, August 13, 2026, by INEC National Commissioner and Chairman of its Information and Voter Education Committee, Mohammed Kudu Haruna, provides the clearest picture yet of voter participation ahead of what is expected to be a fiercely contested election. The commission also disclosed that 6,101 persons whose PVCs were damaged, defaced or lost successfully printed downloadable copies of their replacement cards, ensuring that even those who faced logistical hurdles can still exercise their franchise.
The collection rate of 81.50 per cent represents a significant improvement compared to previous elections in the state, reflecting heightened political awareness and the intense mobilisation efforts by political parties and civil society organisations in the lead-up to the poll. However, the 426,842 uncollected cards mean that nearly one in five registered voters will be unable to participate in the election, a figure that could prove decisive in a contest where the margin of victory may be narrow.
The Osun governorship election features 15 candidates, with the leading contenders being incumbent Governor Ademola Adeleke of the Accord Party, Bola Oyebamiji of the All Progressives Congress, and Dr Najeem Salaam of the African Democratic Congress. The three frontrunners have crisscrossed the state in recent weeks, making their final appeals to voters and outlining their respective visions for the state's future. Adeleke has defended his three-and-a-half-year record, highlighting infrastructure projects and educational reforms, while Oyebamiji has positioned himself as a public finance expert capable of revitalising the state's economy. Salaam, for his part, has promised to revive social programmes and create 20,000 jobs within his first 100 days in office.
The PVC collection figures offer a crucial glimpse into voter enthusiasm and the potential turnout on election day. While the 81.50 per cent collection rate is encouraging, political analysts note that voter apathy, security concerns, and logistical challenges could still suppress turnout. The uncollected cards – representing over 426,000 potential voters – could tilt the balance in a state where political loyalties are deeply entrenched and where the outcome may hinge on the margins.
INEC has reassured political parties, civil society organisations, the media, and the people of Osun State of its total readiness to conduct a free, fair, credible, transparent, and inclusive election. The commission has also published a polling-unit-by-polling-unit breakdown of the collected PVCs on its website, providing stakeholders with detailed data to aid their monitoring and mobilisation efforts. Security agencies have deployed thousands of personnel across the state to ensure a peaceful electoral process, while election observers from local and international organisations are expected to monitor the proceedings.
The Osun governorship election is widely regarded as a bellwether for the 2027 general elections, with both the ruling APC and the opposition Accord Party viewing the contest as a crucial test of their political strength. The outcome will not only determine who governs Osun State for the next four years but will also shape the political calculations of parties and candidates as they prepare for the national polls. For the 1.9 million voters who have collected their PVCs, Saturday presents an opportunity to have their voices heard and to shape the future of their state. For the 426,842 who have not, their silence will speak volumes.
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