The campaign organisation of Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke has alleged the existence of a coordinated operation aimed at compromising the integrity of the forthcoming governorship election through the illegal purchase of Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) and the harvesting of voters’ personal data.
The allegation, which comes amid heightened political activities ahead of the August 15 governorship election in the state, has further intensified the growing war of words between the major political parties as they battle for control of Osun State.
According to the Adeleke Campaign Council, individuals allegedly linked to the opposition have been moving across several communities, offering cash inducements to vulnerable residents in exchange for their PVCs while simultaneously collecting sensitive voter information. The campaign described the alleged operation as a calculated attempt to manipulate the electoral process before voting day.
The council warned that the alleged activities pose a serious threat to democracy and could undermine public confidence in the credibility of the election if left unchecked. It called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), the Department of State Services (DSS), the Nigeria Police Force and other security agencies to immediately investigate the allegations and prosecute anyone found culpable in accordance with the law.
The campaign further urged eligible voters not to surrender their PVCs or disclose confidential voter information to political actors or their agents, stressing that the PVC remains the property of the voter and is essential for participating in the democratic process.
It also appealed to civil society organisations, election observers and the international community to closely monitor developments in Osun State before, during and after the governorship election, insisting that every vote must count without intimidation, inducement or manipulation.
The latest allegation adds to a series of claims and counterclaims that have characterised political campaigns in Osun in recent months. Governor Adeleke had earlier expressed concerns over what he described as attempts to destabilise the state’s political atmosphere, while repeatedly calling on security agencies to ensure a peaceful and credible election.
The accusations come against the backdrop of Nigeria’s long-standing concerns over vote-buying and other forms of electoral malpractice. During previous governorship elections in Osun, election observers documented incidents of vote buying and warned that such practices could weaken public trust in the electoral process if not decisively addressed.
As of the time of filing this report, there had been no official confirmation from INEC or security agencies regarding the specific allegations of coordinated PVC buying and voter data harvesting. Likewise, those accused by the Adeleke campaign had not publicly accepted responsibility for the claims. The election management body has consistently maintained that buying or selling PVCs and engaging in voter inducement are offences punishable under Nigeria’s electoral laws.