Exactly 100 days to the 2027 elections, the Peter Obi Media Office has accused politicians of weaponising Nigerians’ poverty to capture their votes, warning citizens against surrendering their Permanent Voter Cards for cash, salaries or other inducements.
The office alleged that some ruling-party politicians were offering money in exchange for PVCs, while some state governors were allegedly collecting the cards of citizens, including civil servants, before paying their legitimate salaries and allowances.
With the allegations coming amid widespread economic hardship, Obi’s media office urged Nigerians to resist what it described as attempts to convert desperation into political control, insisting that a PVC surrendered today could mean a vote lost tomorrow.
The warning was contained in a statement issued on Thursday by the spokesman for the Peter Obi Media Office, Idris Zekeri Jnr.
“Your PVC is not for sale. Your vote is not for sale. Your future is not for sale,” Zekeri said.
He urged voters to collect their PVCs, keep them secure and reject money or other inducements offered in exchange for their votes.
The office also asked Nigerians to report suspected electoral manipulation to the appropriate authorities and to turn out on election day to vote according to their conscience.
The allegations concerning PVC collection and salary-linked inducements could not be independently verified.
