PDP accuses Ogun APC of plot to disrupt PVC collection exercise, calls for tight security

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Ogun State has accused the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) of allegedly planning to disrupt the ongoing collection of Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) across the state.

The opposition party has called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and security agencies to strengthen security at PVC collection centres to protect eligible voters and ensure the smooth conduct of the exercise.

In a statement issued on Friday, the PDP said it had received what it described as credible intelligence indicating a plan to deploy suspected thugs to INEC collection centres.

According to the party, the alleged plan is aimed at intimidating voters, disrupting the PVC collection process and carting away cards belonging to eligible registrants.

The statement was signed by the PDP Publicity Secretary in Ogun State, Arc. Kayode Adebayo, who accused the APC of being behind the purported plot.

The party urged INEC and relevant security agencies to take preventive measures to safeguard the collection centres and protect voters from possible intimidation or disruption.

However, the allegations against the APC were presented by the PDP, and no response from the ruling party was included in the statement provided.

According to the opposition party, the alleged plot, if established, would undermine the electoral process and infringe on citizens’ rights to participate freely in elections.

The PDP said, “According to reports at our disposal, the ruling APC is allegedly perfecting plans to deploy hired thugs and miscreants to various INEC collection centres with the nefarious objective of disrupting the process, intimidating legitimate registrants, and carting away PVCs belonging to innocent citizens.”

The party urged INEC to take proactive measures to protect the collection exercise across Ogun State’s 20 local government areas.

“We therefore call on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to be exceedingly vigilant, proactive, and uncompromising in securing all PVCs and collection centres across the 20 Local Government Areas of Ogun State,” the statement said.

It also called on the Nigeria Police Force, the Department of State Services (DSS) and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) to deploy adequate personnel to collection points and respond promptly to any incidents of intimidation or disruption.

The PDP further urged security agencies to investigate suspected acts of electoral interference and prosecute anyone found culpable in accordance with the law.

Beyond its appeal to the authorities, the party advised residents to remain vigilant and law-abiding throughout the collection exercise.

It cautioned eligible voters against surrendering their PVCs to unauthorised individuals and encouraged them to report suspicious activities to INEC officials or security personnel.

“Your PVC is your inalienable right and the potent weapon with which to determine your future,” the party said, adding that voters should not surrender their cards to any individual under any circumstances.

The opposition party maintained that no political organisation should interfere with citizens’ constitutional rights to vote, stressing the need for a peaceful and credible electoral process ahead of the 2027 general elections.

“The PDP reiterates unequivocally that no political party, no matter how desperate, has the right to interfere with the constitutional right of Nigerians to vote,” the statement added.

The party reaffirmed its commitment to what it described as a peaceful, transparent, credible and inclusive electoral process.

However, the allegations against the APC were contained in the PDP’s statement, and no independent evidence was provided in the release to establish the existence of the alleged plot.

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