Election Integrity Under Fire: ADC Demands Probe Into PVC Buying Scandal
The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has called for an investigation into alleged operations buying Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) in Northern Nigeria. The party warns this constitutes organized voter suppression, urging INEC and security agencies to act swiftly against those attempting to disenfranchise citizens ahead of the 2027 elections.
The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has raised serious concerns regarding alleged operations to purchase and collect Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) from citizens, particularly in parts of Northern Nigeria.
In a press statement released on September 17, 2026,and signed by its National Publicity Secretary, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, the party disclosed that it has been inundated with reports of individuals purportedly offering money to vulnerable citizens in exchange for their PVCs.
The ADC confirmed it is actively documenting these reports and meticulously gathering credible evidence to identify those orchestrating the alleged scheme.
The party emphasized the gravity of such actions, stating that while a PVC collected from its rightful owner cannot ordinarily be used by another person due to mandatory biometric verification during accreditation, the true objective behind these efforts appears to be voter suppression.
The ADC unequivocally labeled this alleged activity as "organised voter suppression," asserting that it constitutes a direct assault on the constitutional rights of Nigerian citizens to participate in the electoral process by preventing targeted individuals from voting altogether.
The party underscored that this goes beyond mere vote-buying, as it aims to disenfranchise voters.
In response to these alarming reports, the ADC has urgently called upon the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and various security agencies to launch immediate and thorough investigations.
The party urged these bodies to identify the individuals and groups financing and coordinating this alleged operation, and to take decisive action in accordance with the law against anyone found to be purchasing, collecting, or unlawfully retaining voters’ cards.
The ADC also issued a strong appeal to citizens who are approached by alleged PVC buyers, advising them to reject such offers, meticulously preserve any available evidence, and report these incidents without delay to INEC, security agencies, or their nearest ADC office.
Highlighting the intrinsic value of the PVC, the statement declared, “A PVC is not merely a piece of plastic. It is the citizen’s voice, power and protection against bad government.
The money offered for it may last for one day, but the consequences of surrendering it will last for four years.”
Beyond governmental bodies, the ADC also extended its call to civil society organizations, election observers, the media, traditional rulers, religious leaders, and community associations.
It urged them to intensify public sensitization campaigns and assist in exposing any attempts to disenfranchise voters, particularly as the 2027 elections approach.
The African Democratic Congress stressed that the alleged purchase or collection of PVCs should not be dismissed as routine misconduct.
It argued that any coordinated effort to remove voting cards from citizens has the potential to significantly undermine participation and the integrity of the upcoming elections.
The party’s message to all Nigerians, especially voters across the North, is clear and direct: “Keep your PVC, protect your power and use it. Do not allow anyone to turn your present hardship into their electoral advantage. Your vote belongs to you, and no one has the right to take it away.”