By Abubakar Ojima Yunus, Abuja
The Northern Elders Forum (NEF) has raised alarm over the buying of Permanent Voters’Card (PVC) from prospective voters by politicians in Northern Nigeria.
NEF condemned the act, which it described as a way of disenfranchising large numbers of citizens. The group alleged that the PVC were being sold for less than N2000.
In a statement signed its Director, Publicity and Advocacy, Dr Hakeem Baba-Ahmed, the group said the move amounts to vote suppression and an attempt to reduce the voting power of the North.
“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 an aggressive and blatant voter suppression attempt to reduce the voting powers of the North,” the statement said.