Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, has approved Tuesday, July 28, 2026, as a work-free day for all public sector workers to enable them to collect their Permanent Voter Cards ahead of the state’s governorship election.
According to The Punch, the approval was communicated through a circular signed by the Head of Service, Elder Ayanleye Aina, and covers all categories of public servants, including employees of local government councils and tertiary institutions.
The development was announced in a statement issued on Monday by the governor’s spokesperson, Olawale Rasheed.
According to the state government, the work-free day is intended to allow workers to fulfil their civic responsibility before the August 15 governorship poll and future elections.
The statement, however, clarified that personnel providing essential services, particularly in the health and security sectors, should make adequate internal arrangements to ensure uninterrupted service delivery during the exercise.
Governor Adeleke also appealed to public servants and workers in the informal sector who have yet to obtain their PVCs to take advantage of the opportunity, describing the election as crucial to the future of the state.
“I encourage all registered voters to reach all the collection points without delay.
“Your vote is your power. Your voters card is your licence to the ballot paper and by extension to the ballot box,” the governor said.
The Osun governorship election is scheduled for August 15, 2026, with Adeleke, the Accord Party candidate, seeking a second term. He will face major challengers including the All Progressives Congress candidate, Bola Oyebamiji, and the African Democratic Congress candidate, Najeem Salaam.
The Independent National Electoral Commission has cleared 14 political parties to participate in the election, while the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the Labour Party will not be fielding candidates.
