The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, has extended the collection of Permanent Voter Cards, PVCs, at Registration Area centres across Osun State until Friday, July 31, 2026.

The move is coming after complaints from voters and large crowds at distribution centres.

In a statement issued by the Head of Department, Voter Education, Publicity, Gender and Inclusivity, INEC Osun State, Ariyo Rufus, for the Resident Electoral Commissioner, Oluwatoyin Babalola, the Commission said the extension followed the conclusion of the initial exercise, which commenced on Wednesday, July 22, and was originally scheduled to end on Tuesday, July 28, 2026.

According to the Commission, “322,822 Permanent Voter Cards, representing 62 per cent of the available PVCs, were collected during the exercise. The extension would enable more registered voters to obtain their cards before the governorship election.”

The statement said, “Having regard to complaints and large crowds at collection centres as well as other difficulties, the Commission has approved the extension of PVC collection at Registration Areas to Friday 31st July, 2026, to enable more eligible voters to exercise their civic right.”

INEC also announced that PVC collection at the Local Government Area offices would now begin from August 1 and continue until August 7, 2026, replacing the earlier commencement date to accommodate the extension at the Registration Area level.

The Commission urged all registered voters who are yet to collect their Permanent Voter Cards to take advantage of the additional period.

“Concerned Registered Voters are urged to take advantage of this window and collect their Permanent Voter Cards,” it stated.

Governorship candidate of the Zenith Labour Party, ZLP, in the forthcoming Osun State election, Olufemi Adesuyi, has urged the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, to strengthen security at Permanent Voter Card, PVC, distribution centres across the state.

This is following the reported theft of voter cards in Okuku, Odo-Otin Local Government Area on Sunday.

Adesuyi, who made the appeal in a statement issued on Tuesday, stressed that enhanced protection at the 332 ward collection centres was essential to safeguard the integrity of the electoral process ahead of the August 15 governorship election.

He called on the Osun INEC Resident Electoral Commissioner, Oluwatoyin Babalola, to work closely with security agencies to ensure adequate deployment of personnel to all PVC collection locations, particularly in vulnerable rural communities.

According to the ZLP standard-bearer, “the reported incident in Okuku should prompt immediate preventive measures to avoid similar occurrences in other parts of the state where eligible voters are collecting their cards.”

Adesuyi said the security of electoral materials remained fundamental to public confidence in the election, adding that every registered voter deserved unhindered access to their PVC without fear of disruption or criminal interference.

“We cannot afford a situation where citizens who have fulfilled their civic responsibility by registering are denied access to their Permanent Voter Cards because of security lapses or criminal activities,” he said.

He stated that, “The protection of PVCs and other electoral materials is critical to the credibility of the election. INEC should immediately reinforce security at all designated collection centres across Osun State.”

Adesuyi also warned that the reported theft in Odo-Otin should not be treated as an isolated incident, saying it exposed potential vulnerabilities that could threaten the ongoing PVC distribution exercise if left unaddressed.

“The Odo Otin incident should serve as a wake-up call. If one collection centre can be compromised, others may also be at risk. We urge the Resident Electoral Commissioner to act swiftly by securing all PVC distribution centres. Protect the votes and protect democracy,” he added.

The appeal is coming after reports that suspected hoodlums invaded a PVC distribution centre located at Oyinlola DC Primary School in Okuku during the ongoing collection exercise organised by INEC.

Witnesses said the assailants allegedly fired gunshots into the air, causing panic among residents and prospective voters before fleeing with packs of Permanent Voter Cards kept near officials attending to registrants.

A chieftain of Action Peoples Party, APP, Mazi Chima Matthew Amadi has hailed the Appeal Court ruling affirming the legal status of the party.

He described the decision as a resounding victory for democracy, rule of law and the collective resolve of millions of Nigerians.

Amadi noted that the judgment has once again reaffirmed the timeless principle that justice ultimately prevails over every attempt to undermine the democratic rights of political parties and the constitutional freedom of citizens.

He stated that the victory belongs not only to the APP as a political party, but to every well-meaning Nigerian who desires a political environment where the rule of law, rather than intimidation or manipulation, remains supreme.

In a statement issued on Wednesday by his chief press secretary, Cajetan Duke, he said the ruling had laid to rest the unnecessary distractions and legal uncertainties allegedly orchestrated by the ruling party against the party.

Recall that that in a landmark judgment delivered on Tuesday by a three-member panel of Justices led by Justice Abba Mohammed, the Court of Appeal unanimously nullified the Federal High Court judgment of 15 June, 2026.

It held that the trial court lacked the requisite jurisdiction to entertain the matter.

The appellate court ruled that the suit instituted by the National Forum of Former Legislators (NFFL), seeking the deregistration of APP and other opposition political parties, was fundamentally incompetent because the NFFL was not a juristic person and therefore lacked the legal capacity to institute the action.

Consequently, the Court held that there was no competent suit before the Federal High Court upon which the order directing the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to deregister the affected political parties could validly stand.

Amadi, who is the party’s Senatorial candidate for lmo East (Owerri zone) in the 2027 election, commended the judiciary for demonstrating exceptional courage, independence and unwavering fidelity to the constitution.

He observed that the well-considered decision of the appellate court has further strengthened public confidence in the nation’s judicial system and reaffirmed the principle that justice must always be anchored on law, due process and sound legal reasoning.

He further called on all political actors to respect judicial pronouncements and embrace healthy democratic competition founded on ideas, integrity and service rather than hostility, intimidation or needless litigation.

He stressed that democracy can only flourish where the rule of law is respected and the independence of the judiciary is upheld by all stakeholders.