Millions of Northerners, particularly women selling their PVCs for N2000 — NEF

The Northern Elders Forum (NEF) has said millions of northerners, particularly women who have obtained their Permanent Voters’ Cards (PVCs) are selling them to politicians for no more than N2,000.

In a statement on Wednesday by the Director Publicity and Advocacy of NEF, Dr Hakeem Baba-Ahmed, the Forum described the action as ploy to disenfranchise some Nigerians in the North.

NewsWireNGR recalls the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) had said politicians were buying PVCs from registered voters to harvest their Voter Identification Numbers (VIN) ahead of the elections.

The NEF statement reads in part; “The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has confirmed what the public has been aware of in the last few weeks. This is the widespread and targeted buying of Permanent Voters Cards (PVCs) in many parts of the North and a few other parts of Nigeria.

“Northern Elders Forum (NEF) had followed this worrying phenomenon, advising community leaders and major stakeholders on the dangers of disenfranchising large numbers of citizens. We have also undertaken our own investigations, which prompted this public warning.

“Thousands, or possibly even millions of northern voters, particularly women, are being made to surrender their PVCs for a pittance, in most instances not more than N2000.

“In some instances, they are told their cards will be returned to them after they are processed for additional payments as poverty relief. No cards are returned.

“Our investigations suggest that this is an aggressive and blatant voter suppression attempt to reduce the voting power of the North.”