The Abia State Government has raised concerns over alleged plots by some politicians to tamper with the Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) of rural residents in the state ahead of the 2027 general elections.
In a statement signed by Ferdinand Ekeoma, Special Adviser on Media and Publicity to Governor Alex Otti, the government accused unnamed political actors of deploying agents to rural communities to fraudulently obtain PVC details from unsuspecting residents. The agents were said to be offering ₦10,000 in exchange, claiming it was for the creation of a non-existent e-wallet meant for empowerment.
According to Ekeoma, the scheme is aimed at compromising the integrity of the PVCs and disenfranchising voters by rendering their cards invalid.
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“The attention of the Abia State Government has been drawn to the activities of some politicians in parts of the state who are using fraudulent means to obtain PVC details of rural dwellers under the guise of setting up an empowerment e-wallet,” the statement read.
The government urged residents to remain vigilant and not to release their voter information under any pretext, warning that such actions could jeopardise their right to vote.
Authorities have vowed to investigate the allegations and take appropriate legal action against anyone found culpable.
“The intention of the sponsors and perpetrators of this criminal act is to compromise the authenticity of such PVCs and render the owners unfit to vote during the 2027 election.
“Abia State government has carried out empowerment programmes for the youths and the elderly across the State and will continue to carry out empowerments, like the Abia State Interest Free Loan Empowerment Scheme for over 10,000 Abians, the Abia Techrise Project, Training of Abia Youths in Agricultural Skills in Nasarawa and subsequent funding by the government etc, without politicisation and without attaching questionable preconditions aimed at violating their rights.
“The government views this deliberate act of criminality as an irresponsible act and warns that any person or persons, no matter how highly placed, caught indulging in this act of criminality, directly or through agents, shall face severe consequences beyond their imagination.
“Government wishes to call on Abians, especially rural dwellers, to henceforth distance themselves from any individual or group who may approach them for obtaining information contained on their PVCs or any other personal information that may disenfranchise or endanger them in any way.”