By Michael Ofulue, Osogbo
The Imole Campaign Council (TICC) has called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and security agencies to launch an immediate crackdown on individuals and groups allegedly involved in the purchase of Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) and the collection of sensitive voter information ahead of the August 15 governorship election in Osun State.
The council, which is coordinating the re-election campaign of Governor Ademola Adeleke, alleged that the illegal practice is becoming widespread in parts of the state and poses a serious threat to the credibility of the forthcoming governorship poll.
In a statement issued on Thursday by its spokesperson, Pelumi Olajengbesi, Esq., TICC said it had received what it described as credible reports indicating that some persons were approaching registered voters with offers of money and other inducements in exchange for either their PVCs or sensitive details contained on the cards.
According to the campaign council, the alleged scheme is aimed at exploiting the prevailing economic hardship to disenfranchise eligible voters and manipulate the outcome of the election.
The statement described the alleged activities as a direct assault on Nigeria’s democratic process and warned that any attempt to deprive citizens of their voting rights amounts to an attack on constitutional democracy.
“The scheme, which has become increasingly rampant, exploits the ignorance and economic situation of innocent voters to gain undue access to their PVCs. Credible intelligence available to us indicates that this unlawful activity is part of a calculated attempt to disenfranchise voters and manipulate the outcome of the forthcoming governorship election,” the statement said.
TICC maintained that the Permanent Voter Card remains the instrument through which every eligible Nigerian exercises the constitutional right to choose leaders, stressing that no citizen should surrender that right in exchange for temporary financial gain.
The council further warned that the alleged activities violate provisions of the Electoral Act, insisting that it is unlawful for anyone to possess another person’s PVC or induce voters to surrender their cards or sensitive information through financial incentives or false promises of empowerment.
Citing Section 121 of the Electoral Act, 2026, the campaign organisation said those involved in the alleged illegal enterprise should immediately desist and return any PVCs or voter information already obtained unlawfully.
“We must emphasise that possession of a PVC other than the one bearing one’s name is unlawful under Section 121 of the Electoral Act, 2026. It is therefore necessary to warn those involved in this illegal enterprise to desist immediately and return whatever has been unlawfully obtained, as we will explore every lawful means to resist this undemocratic practice,”. .
The council called on INEC to urgently investigate the allegations, identify those responsible and prosecute anyone found to have violated the Electoral Act.
It also appealed to security agencies, including the police and other relevant law enforcement bodies, to intensify surveillance and dismantle networks allegedly engaged in the illegal trade in PVCs before the governorship election.
According to TICC, failure to decisively tackle the alleged practice could undermine public confidence in the electoral process and compromise the integrity of the August 15 poll.
The council equally urged residents of Osun State not to disclose personal voter information or surrender their PVCs to anyone, irrespective of promises of empowerment, financial assistance or political patronage.
It described the PVC as the power entrusted to citizens to determine the leadership of the state, warning that selling or releasing the card could ultimately deny voters the opportunity to participate in the democratic process.
“PVC is the power the people hold to make leadership choices. They must not surrender that power for temporary financial gain, which could ultimately result in leadership that worsens their living conditions,” the statement noted.
TICC also expressed confidence in the administration of Governor Ademola Adeleke, saying the government had demonstrated its commitment to people-oriented governance through developmental projects and policies across the state.
The campaign council therefore encouraged eligible voters to safeguard their PVCs and ensure they participate in the August 15 governorship election, describing the exercise as an opportunity for the people to freely decide the future of Osun State
As of the time of filing this report, neither the Independent National Electoral Commission nor security agencies had officially responded to the allegations raised by the campaign council. Likewise, no political party or individual had been publicly identified by TICC as being responsible for the alleged PVC-buying scheme.