By: Odeh Favour Adiya
Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, has declared Tuesday, July 28, 2026, as a work-free day for all public servants across the state to enable them to collect their Permanent Voter Cards ahead of the upcoming governorship election.
The directive was conveyed in an official circular issued by the Head of Service, Elder Ayanleye Aina, and applies to all categories of public servants, including local government staff and employees of state tertiary institutions.
According to a Monday statement released by the Governor’s spokesperson, Olawale Rasheed, the government explained that the decision was aimed at “enabling public servants to perform their civic obligations ahead of the forthcoming governorship election and future elections in the state.”
However, the release noted that “workers on essential duties, including medical and security personnel, were advised to make necessary arrangements among themselves to ensure that their absence did not negatively affect members of the public.”
Governor Adeleke also charged both public servants and informal sector workers who are yet to pick up their voter cards to head to designated centers without delay, emphasizing the vital role of the upcoming election in determining the state’s future.
“I encourage all registered voters to reach all the collection points without delay,” Governor Adeleke stated. “Your vote is your power. Your voters card is your licence to the ballot paper and by extension to the ballot box.”
The 2026 Osun State governorship election has been scheduled for August 15, 2026.
Incumbent Governor Adeleke of the Accord Party will be seeking re-election against top contenders, including Bola Oyebamiji of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and Najeem Salaam of the African Democratic Congress (ADC).
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has cleared 14 political parties to participate in the upcoming poll, though the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and Labour Party (LP) will not be fielding candidates in the election.
