2027: ADC raises alarm over alleged PVC-buying in North

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has warned citizens in the Northern region of Nigeria about an alleged organized scheme to purchase and collect Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) ahead of the 2027 general elections. According to the party's National Publicity Secretary, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, individuals linked to the ruling party are offering money to vulnerable citizens in exchange for their PVCs.

The ADC received multiple reports of the alleged operation and is taking steps to document these claims and gather evidence to identify those involved.

The ADC argues that PVCs bought from their rightful owners cannot be used by others due to biometric verification requirements. The party claims that the real objective behind this alleged operation may be to prevent targeted citizens from voting altogether, constituting organized voter suppression and an attack on citizens' constitutional rights.

The ADC urges the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and security agencies to launch an immediate investigation into the reports and prosecute those found guilty of purchasing, collecting, or unlawfully retaining voters' cards.

The party also asks citizens approached by PVC buyers to refuse their offers, preserve any evidence, and report the incident to INEC, security agencies, or their nearest ADC office. The ADC stresses that PVCs are not just pieces of plastic but represent citizens' voices, power, and protection against bad governance. It cautions against dismissing the purchase or collection of PVCs as mere political misconduct, warning that any coordinated effort to remove voting cards from citizens amounts to predetermining the election.

The ADC urges Nigerians, particularly those in the North, to protect their voting cards, maintain their power, and use their votes without allowing anyone to exploit their hardships for electoral advantage.