Preparations for the forthcoming Osun State governorship election were disrupted on Sunday after suspected armed hoodlums attacked a Permanent Voter’s Card (PVC) distribution centre in Okuku, Odo-Otin Local Government Area, making away with packs of voter cards.

The attack occurred at Oyinlola DC Primary School, Ward 2, where officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) were distributing PVCs to registered voters.

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Eyewitnesses said the armed men stormed the centre, fired several gunshots into the air, causing panic among residents, voters and INEC officials before fleeing with the stolen voter cards.

Confirming the incident, the Osun State Police Command, through its spokesperson, DSP Abiodun Ojelabi, said about 10 armed hoodlums invaded the distribution centre and carted away three packs of PVCs before escaping.

He disclosed that the Commissioner of Police, Ibrahim Gotan, has condemned the attack and ordered a comprehensive investigation to identify and prosecute those behind the incident.

The attack has triggered fresh political accusations between major parties in the state.

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 attack.

He described the incident as a serious assault on Nigeria’s democracy and the electoral process, urging security agencies to conduct a thorough and impartial investigation and bring those responsible to justice.

However, the APC dismissed the allegation and instead accused the Speaker of sponsoring hoodlums to disrupt the PVC distribution exercise.

Speaking on behalf of the party’s campaign council, Oluremi Omowaiye alleged that Egbedun recruited thugs to the collection centres and called on security agencies to investigate and arrest those involved.

Meanwhile, the Osun Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Mrs. Oluwatoyin Babalola, confirmed and condemned the attack, saying INEC was still awaiting a full report to determine the exact number of PVCs stolen.

She reassured residents that the commission remains committed to conducting a free, fair, credible, inclusive and transparent election despite the security breach.

The incident has heightened concerns over electoral security in Osun State as preparations for the election continue.

A chieftain of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Chief Eze Chukwuemeka Eze, has cautioned Barrister Kenneth Okonkwo against making comments capable of undermining former Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, warning that such remarks could threaten the party’s unity ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Eze was reacting to recent remarks by Okonkwo, who reportedly suggested that former Vice President Atiku Abubakar had no alternative but to accept Amaechi as his running mate.

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He described the statement as “unfortunate, insulting and counterproductive,” saying it could negatively affect public perception of both Atiku and Amaechi.

According to Eze, Atiku’s long political career demonstrates that he is fully capable of making independent decisions on critical political matters without being influenced or compelled.

“Anyone who has followed Atiku Abubakar’s political journey knows that he has a mind of his own and is fully capable of taking decisions on matters of this nature,” Eze said.

The ADC stalwart argued that portraying Amaechi as an imposed choice diminishes the former Rivers State governor’s political achievements and contributions to Nigeria’s democratic development.

He highlighted Amaechi’s political record, noting that he served as Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, two-term governor of Rivers State, Minister of Transportation, and presidential aspirant, describing him as one of Nigeria’s most experienced political figures.

Eze also recalled that Amaechi emerged second to President Bola Tinubu during the 2023 All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential primary and later finished as runner-up to Atiku Abubakar in the ADC presidential primary.

According to him, Amaechi’s emergence as the party’s vice-presidential candidate should be seen as a strategic advantage rather than an imposition.

“Amaechi’s personality, political experience and national appeal add significant value to the ADC presidential ticket,” he stated.

The former publicity secretary of the defunct New Peoples Democratic Party (nPDP) further advised Okonkwo to improve his communication style by learning from individuals with proven expertise in political messaging.

Calling for unity within the opposition party, Eze urged ADC leaders, spokespersons and supporters to avoid comments capable of creating unnecessary controversy or weakening the party’s collective resolve ahead of the 2027 elections.

“Our focus should remain on building a united front. Internal disagreements should not distract us from our collective objective of providing Nigerians with a credible alternative,” he said.

He added: “As things stand, we have a common objective. We need unity of purpose and must avoid comments that could weaken our collective resolve. Responsible communication and party cohesion remain essential to the success of the ADC in the forthcoming elections.”

The presidential candidate of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) for the 2027 general election, Prince Adewole Adebayo, has launched a fresh attack on the All Progressives Congress (APC), describing the Muslim-Muslim ticket of President Bola Tinubu and Vice President Kashim Shettima as a political strategy aimed at deceiving Nigerians.

Speaking during an interview on Arise Television’s Morning Show, Adebayo argued that the 2023 presidential ticket was built on religious sentiment rather than competence, insisting that Nigerians are now more interested in electing leaders who can deliver justice, good governance and economic prosperity.

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According to him, the APC’s same-faith ticket has failed to meet the expectations of many Nigerians, including those who supported it because of the candidates’ religious affiliation.

“There is nothing like the Muslim-Muslim ticket. Even when the contraption was brought up four years ago and I was in Kano, I was asked the same question while meeting with the Ulamas.

“I told them that if you are hoping for a Muslim-Muslim ticket in President Tinubu and Vice President Shettima, you will be lucky to even have a single Muslim out of the two.”

Adebayo maintained that leadership in Islam is defined by justice and competence, not by a leader’s religious identity, describing the Tinubu-Shettima administration as a “zero-zero ticket.”

“It turned out now that it’s not a Muslim-Muslim ticket. From the point of view of Muslims in Nigeria, it is a zero-zero ticket because in Islam, what is expected of a leader in Islamic jurisprudence is not the religion of that leader but justice.”

The SDP flagbearer added that Islamic teachings encourage the appointment of only qualified and capable individuals to positions of responsibility.

“The reason why Muslims get involved in politics is to have a just society, and there are guidelines in Islamic jurisprudence regarding politics. In Islam, it is expected that if you are a good Muslim, you do not give public office or responsibility to anyone who is not fit for that.”

He further alleged that the Muslim-Muslim ticket was introduced to manipulate voters through religion instead of presenting credible leadership.

“The whole concept from the beginning was just to defraud the populace by using religious sentiment. What the North and all Nigerians are looking for is a righteous leader, no matter the person.”

Adebayo also criticised the current administration over the country’s socio-economic challenges, arguing that the religious composition of the presidency has not translated into justice or improved living conditions.

He referenced former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai, saying even one of the prominent advocates of the Muslim-Muslim ticket has recently been seeking justice.

“So when you say you are looking for a Muslim-Muslim ticket and there is no justice anywhere, even one of the proponents, El-Rufai, who was celebrating it, he and his family are now crying for justice. That is the biggest irony you can have.”

He concluded that Nigerians ahead of the 2027 general election are more concerned about competent leadership, fairness and better governance than the religious background of presidential candidates.