Osun 2026: Adeleke Campaign Raises Fresh Concerns Over BVAS, PVC Distribution, Ballot Papers

• The Imole Campaign Council has urged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to address alleged electoral lapses witnessed in recent off-cycle elections.

The Imole Campaign Council, leading the re-election bid of Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke, has called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to prevent a repeat of the electoral irregularities witnessed during recent off-cycle elections.

Addressing journalists in Osogbo on Monday, the council’s Director-General, Lere Oyewumi, alleged that individuals suspected to be mercenary voters were issued Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) shortly before elections in states including Ogun, Oyo, Jigawa and Ekiti.

Oyewumi also raised concerns over the alleged deployment of inadequate ballot papers and other sensitive electoral materials, claiming that already thumb-printed ballot papers were distributed during the 2026 Ekiti State governorship election.

He further alleged that the Ekiti governorship election and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Area Council elections experienced technical issues linked to the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS).

The campaign council also claimed that some political parties that did not field candidates in recent elections in Anambra, Ekiti and the FCT still appeared on ballot papers and result sheets.

Expressing concern ahead of the Osun governorship election, Oyewumi alleged that some leaders of the All Progressives Congress (APC) had boasted about preloading BVAS machines before the poll.

“This claim, if true, strikes at the heart of electronic accreditation and suggests a predetermined outcome rather than the genuine will of the people,” he said.

The council also demanded transparency in the ongoing distribution of PVCs by INEC.

“We have serious concerns about the transparency of the process, and we hereby warn that any move to disenfranchise Osun voters by withholding their PVCs will not be tolerated,” Oyewumi stated.

He insisted that PVC collection should be transparent and not allow collection by proxy.

According to him, the issues raised are not intended to undermine confidence in INEC but to strengthen Nigeria’s electoral process.

“The people of Osun are peaceful, politically conscious and deeply committed to democracy. They expect nothing short of a free, fair, transparent and credible election,” he added.

The Osun governorship election is scheduled for Saturday, August 15, with 14 political parties expected to participate.