Nigeria

With preparations intensifying for the August 15 governorship election, thousands of public servants across Osun State are spending today, Tuesday, July 28, 2026, at Permanent Voter Card (PVC) collection centres following Governor Ademola Adeleke’s declaration of a work-free day to encourage wider voter participation.

The one-day directive covers all categories of state public servants, including local government employees and staff of state-owned tertiary institutions, giving eligible workers an opportunity to collect their PVCs before election day.

The decision was announced yesterday in a statement issued by the Governor’s spokesperson, Olawale Rasheed. According to the statement, the approval was formally communicated across the state public service through a circular signed by the Head of Service, Ayanleye Aina.

State officials explained that the initiative is designed to remove work-related barriers that may have prevented many public servants from visiting designated PVC collection centres during official working hours. By setting aside a work-free day, the government hopes to encourage greater participation in the electoral process.

The directive, however, excludes employees providing essential services. Healthcare workers, security personnel and other critical service providers are expected to make internal arrangements to ensure their responsibilities continue without interruption while eligible staff are given the opportunity to collect their voter cards.

Governor Adeleke urged every registered voter who is yet to obtain a Permanent Voter Card to do so without delay, describing the PVC as the key to participating in the democratic process.

“I encourage all registered voters to visit the designated collection centres without delay. Your vote is your power. Your voter card is your access to the ballot paper and, by extension, the ballot box,” the governor said.

The move comes as political activities continue to gather momentum across Osun State ahead of the governorship election, with stakeholders encouraging eligible residents to complete every requirement needed to vote.

The Permanent Voter Card remains the only means of voter accreditation approved by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). Registered voters without a valid PVC will not be able to cast their ballots on election day, making the ongoing collection exercise an important part of the electoral process.

Observers say initiatives that make PVC collection more accessible could help improve voter turnout by giving more eligible citizens the opportunity to participate in choosing the state’s next leadership.

As attention remains fixed on the forthcoming governorship poll, today’s work-free day offers thousands of public servants a chance to complete their PVC collection and prepare to exercise their constitutional right at the ballot box. The state government says broader voter participation will strengthen democracy and ensure that residents have a meaningful voice in determining the future direction of Osun State.