Tension Mars INEC Stakeholders’ Forum As PVC Collection Extended, Police Assure Osun Residents Of Secure Governorship Poll

A stakeholders’ forum organised by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) ahead of the August 15 governorship election in Osun State was briefly disrupted on Wednesday following a shouting match between supporters of the Accord Party and the All Progressives Congress (APC), underscoring the heightened political tension in the state.

The disruption occurred during the interactive session shortly after the Chairman of INEC, Prof. Joash Ojo Amupitan (SAN), delivered his keynote address, where he reassured political parties, civil society groups and other stakeholders of the Commission’s readiness to conduct a free, fair, credible and transparent election.

The atmosphere became tense when the member representing Ede North/Ede South/Ejigbo/Egbedore Federal Constituency, Hon. Bamidele Salam, raised concerns over the lingering controversy surrounding the control of motor parks in the state, particularly the activities allegedly linked to a faction of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) led by Kazeem Oyewale, popularly known as “Asiri Eniba.”

His remarks immediately sparked chants from supporters of the Accord Party, who repeatedly shouted “Imole,” while APC supporters responded with “AMBO” in solidarity with their governorship candidate, Asiwaju Munirudeen Bola Oyebamiji.

The exchange momentarily halted proceedings as both groups drowned out discussions before security operatives swiftly intervened.

Personnel of the Nigeria Police Force, Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Nigerian Army, Nigerian Air Force and the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) restored order, allowing the meeting to continue.

Earlier, supporters of the Accord Party and some civil society organisations had also interrupted the goodwill address of the Osun State Commissioner of Police, CP Ibrahim Gotan, creating another tense moment before calm was restored.

Despite the disruptions, the INEC Chairman repeatedly appealed to political parties and their supporters to embrace peaceful conduct and avoid actions capable of undermining the electoral process.

PVC Collection Extended

Addressing stakeholders, Prof. Amupitan announced the extension of the ongoing collection of Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) until Friday, July 31, to enable more eligible voters collect their cards before the governorship election.

He disclosed that 322,822 PVCs, representing about 62 per cent of newly registered voters, had already been collected, adding that the extension was intended to ensure that no eligible voter was disenfranchised.

The INEC Chairman reiterated that the Commission was fully prepared for the election, revealing that 2,339,233 registered voters across 30 local government areas, 332 registration areas and 3,763 polling units would participate in the exercise, with 14 political parties fielding candidates.

According to him, INEC has deployed 4,427 Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) devices, including 664 backup machines, while sensitive election materials will be distributed through 97 Super Registration Area Centres and 105 Registration Area Centres across the state.

He also announced that a mock accreditation exercise would hold on August 1 in 12 selected local government areas to test the functionality of the BVAS ahead of the election.

INEC Raises Concern Over Security

Expressing concern over reports of political violence in parts of Osun State, Prof. Amupitan disclosed that INEC had intensified collaboration with security agencies through the Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security (ICCES) to ensure adequate protection of voters and electoral officials.

He identified Atakumosa East, Atakumosa West, Boripe, Ede North, Ede South, Ife Central, Ifedayo, Ila, Ifelodun, Oriade and Osogbo as flashpoints that would receive enhanced security deployment based on electoral risk assessments.

“We will not allow the democratic will of the people to be subverted by fear or force,” he declared, stressing that intelligence-driven security operations had been activated to safeguard voters, election personnel and electoral materials.

“The ballot box, not the bullet, will decide the future of Osun State,” the INEC Chairman added.

Prof. Amupitan also disclosed that investigations were ongoing into the recent theft of uncollected PVCs from INEC offices in Okuku (Odo-Otin Local Government Area) and Ife Central, assuring residents that the stolen cards could not be used because voter accreditation would only be possible through biometric verification using the BVAS.

He further revealed that the Commission was collaborating with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) and other relevant agencies to tackle vote-buying during the election.

Reaffirming INEC’s neutrality, he urged political parties to uphold the Peace Accord scheduled for Thursday and refrain from inflammatory rhetoric, violence and the use of political thugs.

“Our sole loyalty is to the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the sovereign will of the Nigerian people. Let us work together to deliver a peaceful, credible and transparent election that will further strengthen Nigeria’s democracy,” he said.

Police Assure Residents of Neutrality, Robust Security

In his goodwill message, the Commissioner of Police, CP Ibrahim Gotan, assured residents that the Nigeria Police Force, as the lead agency for election security, was fully prepared to provide a safe, peaceful and secure environment before, during and after the governorship election.

He said the Police, in collaboration with INEC and other security agencies, had developed comprehensive operational strategies, including intelligence gathering, threat assessment, confidence-building patrols, deployment of adequately trained personnel to polling units and collation centres, as well as the establishment of rapid response teams across the state.

The Police Commissioner disclosed that identified flashpoints would receive additional security attention through enhanced surveillance, increased personnel deployment and continuous engagement with community leaders and political stakeholders to prevent violence.

According to him, officers have been directed to act professionally, remain impartial and exercise maximum restraint while taking firm action against anyone who violates the Electoral Act or attempts to disrupt the electoral process.

He warned that vote-buying, voter intimidation, ballot box snatching, destruction of electoral materials and other electoral offences would not be tolerated, stressing that offenders would be prosecuted irrespective of their political affiliations or social status.

CP Gotan appealed to political parties, candidates and their supporters to reject violence and inflammatory rhetoric, urging them instead to resolve grievances through lawful means.

He also encouraged residents to participate peacefully in the election and promptly report suspicious activities to the Police, emphasising that the peace, unity and progress of Osun State must take precedence over partisan interests.

The Commissioner reaffirmed the commitment of the Nigeria Police Force to neutrality, professionalism and the protection of lives and property throughout the electoral process, describing the success of the election as a shared responsibility of security agencies, INEC, political parties, civil society organisations, the media and the electorate.