By CHARLES ONYEKWERE
As the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, commences voter registration and validation across Anambra State, the Association of Non-Indigenes in Anambra State, ANIAS, has issued a stern warning to its members against selling their Permanent Voter Cards, PVCs, to unscrupulous political actors.
The association also urged all members who have not yet obtained their PVCs to take advantage of the ongoing registration exercise ahead of the crucial November 8 gubernatorial election in the state.
Speaking to journalists in Awka on Sunday, the President of ANIAS, Prince Chigozie Nweke, expressed deep concern over reports that certain politicians are offering financial inducements to unsuspecting non-indigenous residents in exchange for their voter cards.
“It has come to the attention of the Association of Non-Indigenes in Anambra State, ANIAS, that some desperate politicians are approaching ineligible voters particularly non-indigenes with enticing financial offers, pressuring them to surrender their PVCs”, Nweke said.
He further disclosed that intelligence gathered by the association suggests a more alarming trend: the alleged cloning and illicit use of PVCs by political support groups operating under the guise of campaign organizations.
“We have credible information that, since the commencement of the voter registration and validation exercise by INEC, some groups masquerading as campaign support teams have begun acquiring voter cards from unsuspecting individuals. These cards are then cloned and manipulated for illegal electoral advantages”, he revealed.
In response, ANIAS issued a strong warning to its members not to fall victim to such electoral fraud and manipulation.
“We categorically urge our members to resist these fraudulent political schemes. Selling one’s PVC is not only a betrayal of democratic values but a crime that undermines the integrity of the electoral process”, Nweke warned.
He also appealed to members to seize the opportunity presented by INEC to register and collect their PVCs in a timely manner, noting that failure to do so may result in their exclusion from the upcoming election.
“We advise all our members to utilize the INEC window for registration and validation. Do not wait until it’s too late. Your vote is your power”, he added.
Prince Nweke went on to announce that ANIAS has launched a state-wide sensitization campaign aimed at encouraging civic participation among non-indigenes in Anambra. The association, he noted, is also in discussions with INEC to initiate a tailored voter education programme across all 21 local government areas of the state.
“As Nigerians, we have a civic duty to participate in the electoral process. Our association is actively engaging members to understand the value of their vote. We are working with INEC to organize targeted voter education sessions to ensure that our people are informed, empowered, and ready to participate meaningfully in the November 8 governorship election”, Nweke added.
