Governor Ademola Adeleke of Osun State and the All Progressives Congress governorship candidate, Bola Oyebamiji, have renewed their war of words over alleged attempts to buy Permanent Voter Cards ahead of the August 15 governorship election in the state.
The fresh accusations emerged on Thursday after Adeleke raised concerns about what he described as efforts by some politicians to persuade voters to hand over their PVCs and Personal Identification Numbers in exchange for money. According to the governor, such actions could affect the credibility of the election if not checked.
In a statement released through his spokesperson, Olawale Rasheed, Adeleke alleged that members of the APC were carrying out an organised operation to obtain PVCs and PINs from voters, especially in areas believed to have strong support for the Accord Party.
The governor claimed the alleged exercise was designed to interfere with voters’ registration details before election day, making it difficult for them to cast their ballots. He also alleged that some residents were being pressured into taking oaths before surrendering copies of their voter cards or revealing their PINs.
Adeleke urged residents not to accept financial offers or any other inducement that could deprive them of their voting rights. He also called on the Independent National Electoral Commission to investigate the allegations, adding that his administration had received reports suggesting possible insider involvement and was still looking into the matter.
Oyebamiji, however, made similar claims while addressing supporters during a campaign rally in Osogbo. The APC governorship candidate warned voters against giving out their PVCs, alleging that some individuals were trying to acquire the cards through indirect financial incentives.
Speaking to traders at Sabo Market, where he received support for his governorship ambition, Oyebamiji advised residents to protect their voter cards and ignore offers of money intended to influence their participation in the election. He alleged that some young people were being invited to local government offices, where they were asked to provide their bank account details before receiving money.
The APC candidate also assured traders and other residents that, if elected, his administration would run an inclusive government by consulting communities on their needs and ensuring that campaign promises were fulfilled after the election.
Osun State will hold its governorship election on August 15, with Governor Adeleke seeking another term on the platform of the Accord Party. Oyebamiji will contest on the APC platform, alongside Najeem Salaam of the African Democratic Congress and 11 other candidates cleared by INEC for the poll.