The Ogun State chapters of the Peoples Democratic Party and the All Progressives Congress on Friday traded accusations over an alleged plot to disrupt the collection of Permanent Voter Cards ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The PDP accused the ruling APC of allegedly planning to deploy thugs to Independent National Electoral Commission collection centres across the state, while the APC dismissed the allegation as baseless and challenged the opposition to report any credible intelligence to security agencies.

The PDP Publicity Secretary, Kayode Adebayo, raised the alarm in a statement made available to journalists on Friday, as the PVC collection exercise was scheduled to commence across the state.

Adebayo said the party had received what he described as credible intelligence suggesting that the APC was planning to disrupt the exercise, intimidate registrants and cart away their PVCs.

“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,” he said.

Describing the alleged plot as an attack on democratic participation, the PDP called on INEC to strengthen security at collection centres across Ogun State’s 20 local government areas.

The party also urged the police, the Department of State Services and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps to provide adequate security and arrest anyone found attempting to disrupt the exercise.

Adebayo advised residents to remain vigilant, protect their PVCs and report suspicious activities to INEC officials or security personnel.

“No political party, no matter how desperate, has the right to interfere with the constitutional right of Nigerians to vote,” he said, reaffirming the PDP’s commitment to a peaceful and credible electoral process.

However, the APC dismissed the allegation, accusing the opposition party of raising unnecessary alarm and creating panic among residents.

The APC Publicity Secretary in the state, Olufemi Nuberu, said in a statement that the PDP should submit any evidence of a planned disruption to the appropriate security agencies instead of making public allegations.

Nuberu said the APC believed in due process, civility and peaceful democratic engagement, adding that the party was focused on mobilising supporters and preparing for the forthcoming elections.

“If the PDP has credible evidence of any planned disruption, it should present it to the appropriate authorities instead of creating unnecessary panic,” he said.

He questioned the opposition’s motives, arguing that the allegation raised concerns about its preparedness for the political contest ahead.

The opposition should stop crying wolf and face the reality of the political task ahead. The APC is focused on mobilisation and victory, not baseless allegations,” Nuberu said.

The two parties’ statements came as INEC’s PVC collection exercise was scheduled to begin across Ogun State on Friday.

The allegations by the PDP had not been independently verified as of the time of filing this report. (Saturday PUNCH)