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From Ndubuisi Orji and Adesuwa Tsan, Abuja
The presidential campaign organisation of the Allied Peoples Movement (APM) and the Peter Obi Media Office have raised the alarm over alleged plans to manipulate Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) ahead of the 2027 general elections, demanding safeguards against attempts to compromise voters’ rights and the electoral process.
While the Makinde-Daura Presidential Campaign Organisation (MDPCO) alleged a plot by the All Progressives Congress (APC) to obtain unclaimed PVCs through compromised electoral officials, Obi’s media office accused some governors of demanding citizens’ cards as a condition for paying salaries and allowances.
In a statement by its Director of Strategic Communications, Richard Ihediwa, the APM campaign urged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to address allegations that some of its officials planned to hand over millions of unclaimed PVCs to the APC.
It also alleged that the cards could be used to infiltrate polling centres with unregistered persons and influence election results in selected locations.
“This allegation puts a huge burden on the management of INEC as it portends a serious breach on the integrity of the coming election and threatens the very core of democracy in Nigeria,” the campaign said.
It maintained that the credibility of the elections depended largely on the integrity of the voter register and the security of electoral materials before voting began.
“Our Campaign insists that an unclaimed PVC must neither be a disposable property nor a political asset to the enemies of credible elections. It must not be at the mercy of electoral manipulation but a strictly controlled electoral instrument, whose compromise, in any way, opens the door to electoral fraud.”
The campaign demanded a public account of the number, custody and security of unclaimed PVCs nationwide, including a state-by-state breakdown and details of measures to prevent unauthorised access, collection or transfer.
“In order to restore public confidence on the integrity of the electoral process, INEC owes Nigerians and indeed the International Community a clear public account of the custody, security, and exact quantity of unclaimed voter cards nationwide,” it said.
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The organisation alleged that the APC was unsettled by growing support for its presidential candidate, Governor Seyi Makinde, and was seeking to compromise electoral processes. It urged Nigerians to monitor their polling units and report suspicious activities to security agencies and accredited election observers.
It also called on international observers to seek assurances from INEC, insisting that Nigerians deserved transparency before the elections rather than explanations afterwards.
“The 2027 general elections must not be an exercise in which Nigerians merely vote; it must be an election in which every legitimate vote is protected and every attempt to manufacture or manipulate votes is decisively resisted,” it stated.
In a separate statement issued yesterday by its spokesman, Idris Zekeri Jnr, the Peter Obi Media Office alleged that politicians were exploiting economic hardship to obtain voters’ PVCs through cash inducements and other benefits.
The office said it had received reports that some governors were collecting cards from citizens, including civil servants, before paying salaries and allowances. It did not identify the states or provide supporting evidence.
It alleged that certain governors, “who have nothing positive to show to persuade their citizens,” were demanding PVCs in exchange for payments to which the citizens were legitimately entitled.
The office warned Nigerians against surrendering their cards or participating in arrangements that could compromise their freedom to choose their leaders. “Your PVC is not for sale. Your vote is not for sale. Your future is not for sale.”
It urged voters to collect and secure their PVCs, reject inducements and report suspected attempts to manipulate the electoral process to the appropriate authorities.
“On election day, turn out, vote according to your conscience, protect your ballot, and insist that your vote counts,” the office said.
Emphasising lawful participation, it added: “Hold your PVC firmly. Use it responsibly. Defend your vote legally.”
