2023: Politicians pay N5000 to get details of individual PVC

Members of some political parties are going about collecting and, in some cases, paying N5000 to get information on the Permanent Voters Card of some individuals.

Our reporters, who went around some areas in Lagos State, observed members of a certain political party going around some communities taking details of individuals’ PVC.

At Laara Igbe in the Igbogbo area of Ikorodu Local Government Area, a party member was seen going about collecting details of people’s PVCs.

According to him, the man even asked him for details of the (reporter’s) PVC in exchange for N5000.

A resident of the area, who simply identified himself as Ayo, hailed the move and said it was a good move to ensure victory for one of the presidential candidates in the forthcoming presidential election.

He said: “I don’t see anything wrong if it’s about winning this election. The election is like war; one does not have to take chances. Anything one can do to get a victory is all right.”

A resident from the Ajah area of Lagos State, who described herself as Yetunde, said members of a particular political party approached him to get his PVC details for N5000.

He added that he was surprised as he began to question the integrity of the forthcoming election. He noted that if care is not taken urgently, the 2023 election may turn out to be the worst election in Nigeria.

It was also gathered that the story is not different from Alimosho and Agege as the people go about collecting PVCs from prospective voters.

But the immediate past Resident Electoral Commissioner in Akwa Ibom State, Mr Mike Igini, said those who are cloning people’s PVCs are only doing that to disenfranchise voters.

He said: “They are only going to deprive people but will not give them electoral victory.

“They do not understand the system. ICT professionals are deceiving and scamming them.”