By Ade Oyeyemi
The Peoples Democratic Party in Kwara State has urged the Independent National Electoral Commission to investigate an alleged influx of foreign nationals into the state ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The state PDP Chairman, Isa Bawa Adamu, made the call on Tuesday at a pre-election training workshop organised for more than 3,000 women members drawn from the three senatorial districts in Ilorin.
The programme, themed, “Our Vote, Our Power — Standing Together for Our Future,” was focused on preparing party members for active participation in the electoral process.
Bawa alleged that some politicians were facilitating the movement of foreign nationals into Kwara for the purpose of electoral malpractice during the 2027 elections.
He further claimed that some of the alleged foreigners had been issued voter cards, identifying Baruten Local Government Area in Kwara North as one of the areas where the activity was allegedly taking place.
The PDP chairman urged INEC to investigate the claim and take appropriate action against anyone found to have violated electoral laws. The allegation was not accompanied by documentary evidence at the workshop.
Bawa also called on INEC to investigate the alleged removal of campaign billboards belonging to PDP candidates by the government agency responsible for regulating billboards and campaign materials in the state.
He urged political parties and candidates to avoid personal attacks during the campaign season, while proposing debates and public engagements where candidates could present their programmes to residents.
The PDP chairman also charged women in the party to take the 2027 elections seriously and play an active role in protecting their votes.
Speaking at the event, the state PDP Women Leader, Hajia Aminat Isola, described women as an important force in the electoral process and urged participants to understand every stage of voting.
“Women constitute the largest voting bloc in any elections. We are mothers, we are sisters and we are traders, farmers, teachers and nation builders,” she said.
“Yet, our numerical strength means nothing until we translate it into power at the polling units.”
Isola said the participants would be trained on voter accreditation, casting and sorting of ballots, counting, announcement of results at polling units and collation at the ward level.
“When we walk into the polling unit on election day, you must walk in confidently, knowledgeably and unshakeably,” she said.
She urged the women to take the voter education campaign to their communities, particularly among elderly voters, to help reduce invalid ballots.
“Our assignment does not end with our vote. I charge every woman here to go back and educate at least five to 10 other women in your streets and communities, especially the aged women,” Isola said.
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“Teach them on how to thumbprint correctly so their votes will not be invalid. One rejected ballot is one silenced voice.”
There was no reported response from INEC specifically addressing the PDP’s allegation concerning the alleged movement of foreign nationals or the issuance of voter cards.
