By Ade Oyeyemi
The Independent National Electoral Commission has called on traditional rulers in Ondo State to help mobilise residents to collect more than 200,000 Permanent Voter Cards ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The Resident Electoral Commissioner in the state, Dr Mutiu Agboke, made the appeal on Wednesday in Owo during a stakeholders’ meeting for the Ondo North Senatorial District.
Agboke, who also paid a courtesy visit to the Olowo of Owo, Oba Ajibade Ogunoye, said the commission would commence the collection of Permanent Voter Cards for registered transfers nationwide from October 9.
He said the exercise would also be available at designated INEC offices at the ward level across Ondo State.
The REC expressed concern that the number of uncollected cards could increase following fresh voter registration, stressing the need for stakeholders to intensify voter education and mobilisation.
He urged traditional rulers to use their positions to encourage residents to collect their cards and participate in the electoral process.
Agboke said, “I am here to solicit our royal majesty’s support to help us use the throne to talk to our people to go and collect their PVC, starting from Friday, Oct. 9.”
He added, “We can’t say we have old cards in Ondo State, we have over 200,000 PVCs uncollected. With the new or fresh registration, I’m sure the number will be increased.”
The electoral commissioner also called on politicians, voters and other stakeholders to reject violence, vote buying and other forms of electoral malpractice.
According to him, INEC wants the 2027 election in the state to be determined by the votes of the people rather than money, violence or manipulation.
“For now, on Friday, those cards that are going to be collected are the transfer cards for people who have done PVC transfer,” Agboke said.
He explained that the stakeholders’ meeting was organised to educate residents and other participants on the commission’s expectations ahead of the election.
Responding, the Olowo of Owo and Chairman of the Ondo State Council of Obas, Oba Ajibade Ogunoye, commended INEC for efforts to improve its operations and address shortcomings observed in previous elections.
Ogunoye pledged the cooperation of traditional rulers in the state, expressing confidence that the 2027 elections would be conducted in a manner acceptable to Nigerians.
He said residents of Owo and other communities in Ondo North were prepared for the election and would turn out to exercise their franchise.
Similarly, the Owa-Ale of Ikare-Akoko, Oba Adeleke Agbegbite-Adedoyin, urged INEC and other stakeholders to intensify voter education and public enlightenment ahead of the poll.
He also called for free, fair and transparent elections in 2027.
Meanwhile, the Chairman of the Africa Democratic Congress in Akoko North-West Local Government Area, Mr Towoju Abayomi, urged security agencies and government officials to maintain neutrality during the election.
Abayomi also advised voters to consider the long-term interests of the country when making their choices at the polls.
He warned that poor electoral decisions could have consequences for the people, urging voters to participate actively in the democratic process.
