• NANS threatens shutdown of tertiary institutions over insecurity
• TICC urges INEC to avoid alleged FCT, Ekiti ‘hiccups’ in Osun polls

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), yesterday, announced the commencement of the distribution of Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) to eligible voters ahead of the August 15, 2026, gubernatorial polls in Osun State.

A statement by the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) in the state, Mrs Oluwatoyin Babalola, stated that the exercise would provide opportunities for individuals who registered, transferred their voter registration, or applied for replacement of lost or damaged PVCs to collect their cards.

It also stated that eligible voters who updated their records during the recently concluded Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) exercise would collect their PVCs.

Meanwhile, the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), South-West Zone D, has threatened to shut down academic activities at tertiary institutions in Osun State ahead of the election, citing worsening insecurity and concerns about students’ safety.

According to the Commission, the PVC collection exercise will begin at the Registration Area (RA) level across the state from tomorrow, July 22, to Tuesday, July 28, 2026, between 9:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. daily, including weekends.

INEC further added that after the Registration Area distribution, the exercise would continue at its local council area offices from Wednesday, July 29, to Friday, August 7, 2026, also between 9:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. daily, including weekends.

Babalola, while appealing to all eligible voters to collect their PVCs within the stipulated period, emphasised that PVC remains the only valid means of accreditation for participation in the governorship election.

She also hinted that uncollected PVCs from previous voter registration exercises would also be distributed during the exercise, thereby giving eligible voters another opportunity to retrieve their cards.

The REC, however, cautioned that PVC collection is strictly personal, declaring that collection by proxy is prohibited under the Electoral Act and would not be permitted under any circumstance.

Babalola also reaffirmed the Commission’s commitment to delivering a free, credible, inclusive and transparent polls, advising members of the public who need additional information to visit the nearest council area office or contact the Osun State office through its official communication channels.

The student body also directed students to prepare to return home, saying it would not allow them to become “sacrificial lambs” in what it described as a desperate political contest.

In a statement jointly signed by the Coordinator of NANS South-West Zone D, Adeyemo Josiah Kayode, and the Secretary-General, Ojetola Babatunde Yussuf, the association expressed concern over the rising incidents of political violence, shootings, intimidation and killings in the state.

According to the statement, the prevailing security situation no longer ensures students’ safety or supports the smooth conduct of academic activities.

The association said reports of gunshots in communities surrounding some tertiary institutions, particularly at night, had heightened fears among students living on and off campus.

It also lamented the absence of a clearly communicated security plan to protect campuses, host communities, student residences and major transportation routes during the election period.

However, Director-General of The Imole Campaign Council (TICC), Kamarudeen Olalere Oyewumi, has called on INEC to avoid recurrence of the alleged technical glitches and other challenges that characterised the recently concluded Federal Capital Territory (FCT) and Ekiti governorship polls during the forthcoming Osun State gubernatorial election.

Oyewumi, who spoke during a media briefing in Osogbo, Osun State capital, said the Council’s position was informed by reports from accredited election observers, publicly available evidence, independent reviews by its surveillance team, and experiences shared by voters.

He also said that the TICC team had identified the challenges to include, among others, deployment of insufficient ballot papers, inadequate Bimodal Voters Accreditation System (BVAS) machines, distribution of PVCs to suspected mercenary voters, and alleged distribution of already thumb-printed ballot papers.