Osun election: Hoodlums attack PVC collection centre, cart away cards

A voter card distribution center in Okuku, Osun state, was attacked by suspected political thugs on Sunday, who allegedly stole two packs of Permanent Voter's Cards (PVCs). The incident took place at Oyinlola DC Primary School in Ward 2, where the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) was distributing the cards.

Witnesses reported that the thugs fired shots sporadically into the air, causing panic among residents and officials, before disrupting the process and fleeing with the cards. The Osun Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Abiodun Ojelabi, confirmed the attack, stating that about ten armed individuals invaded the center and carted away three packs of PVCs.

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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. We urge security agencies to arrest Egbedun and other suspected wanted criminals who are hibernating in the Government House and sharing immunity with Governor Ademola Adeleke.

Police Commissioner Ibrahim Gotan has ordered a thorough investigation to identify and prosecute those responsible. The Speaker of the Osun State House of Assembly, Hon. Adewale Egbedun, through his Chief Press Secretary, Olamide Tiamiyu, accused the opposition All Progressives Congress (APC) of orchestrating the invasion. Egbedun condemned the act as a grave assault on democracy and warned against any attempts to intimidate voters or compromise electoral materials.

However, the APC, via its campaign council's head of media, Oluremi Omowaiye, countered the accusation, alleging that Egbedun himself was behind the disruption. Omowaiye claimed Egbedun recruited thugs to disrupt the distribution exercise, urging security agencies to arrest him and other alleged criminals. The INEC Resident Electoral Commissioner in the state, Mrs. Oluwatoyin Babalola, confirmed the attack and condemned it, stating that the exact number of stolen PVCs is still being ascertained. She assured the public of INEC's commitment to conducting a free, fair, and credible election.

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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. We are promising people of our two states that we are going to conduct an election that is free, fair, credible, inclusive and transparent.