….Party urges INEC, police, DSS, NSCDC to tighten security at collection centres across 20 LGAs
Daud Olatunji
The Ogun State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party has raised the alarm over an alleged plot by the ruling All Progressives Congress to disrupt the ongoing Permanent Voter Card collection exercise in the state, urging the Independent National Electoral Commission and security agencies to prevent any breakdown of law and order.
The PDP alleged that the APC was planning to deploy suspected political thugs to designated INEC collection centres to intimidate eligible voters, disrupt the exercise and cart away PVCs belonging to registered voters.
The opposition party, however, did not disclose details of the intelligence on which it based the allegation or provide evidence to substantiate the claim.
In a statement issued on Friday by its state Publicity Secretary, Arc. Otunba Kayode Adebayo, the PDP described the alleged plot as a threat to the electoral rights of residents and called for heightened security throughout the exercise.
The party urged INEC to take proactive measures to safeguard the collection process and protect PVCs at all designated centres across Ogun State’s 20 local government areas.
It also called on the Nigeria Police Force, Department of State Services and Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps to deploy adequate personnel to the centres, prevent intimidation and arrest anyone found attempting to disrupt the exercise.
The statement read in part, “The Ogun State Chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party has been inundated with credible intelligence suggesting a sinister and premeditated plot by the All Progressives Congress to truncate the Permanent Voter Cards collection exercise which commences today across the state.”
The party added that the alleged plan, if established, would undermine citizens’ constitutional rights to participate freely in the electoral process.
The PDP also appealed to residents to remain vigilant and law-abiding, warning them against surrendering their PVCs to politicians or other unauthorised individuals.
“Your PVC is your inalienable right and the potent weapon with which to determine your future. Under no circumstances should you surrender it to any individual,” the statement said.
It advised residents to report suspicious movements or activities around collection centres to INEC officials or the nearest security personnel.
The party further warned that no political organisation should be allowed to interfere with citizens’ voting rights, insisting that the collection exercise must be conducted peacefully and transparently.
The development comes as political parties and other stakeholders look towards the 2027 general elections, with the management of voter registration records and access to PVCs remaining critical to electoral participation.
However, the allegation against the APC remained unsubstantiated in the statement, and no response from the ruling party or independent confirmation of the alleged plot was provided in the material made available to PLATFORM TIMES.
The PDP reaffirmed its commitment to a peaceful, credible and inclusive electoral process, urging INEC and security agencies to ensure that eligible voters could collect their cards without intimidation or interference.
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