THE Campaign office of the Governorship candidate of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in November election, Engr. Musa Wada has alleged that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in the state is selling uncollected PVC to some people in government.
However, in a swift reaction, INEC said the allegation is false and the public should discard the rumour.
The Head Media and Strategy, Engr Musa Wada Campaign Office, Mr. Faruk Adejoh-Audu in a press statement issued on Thursday which copy was made available to Nigerian Tribune in Lokoja alleged that intelligence reaching the campaign indicates that there’s an ongoing exchange of Permanent Voters Card (PVC) by certain rogue elements in Kogi State office of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and some agents of government.
The statement reads, “The crooked elements in INEC are said to be in possession over 15 thousands of uncollected PVCs covering several wards which they have struck a deal to exchange for N850 per card.
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“It is now obvious that some INEC staff have been deliberately putting up obstacles to prevent registered voters from collecting their cards because of their nefarious trade.
We are by this statement calling on INEC and the security agencies to immediately investigate this report with a view to apprehending the culprits.
“We are hereby demanding an immediate audit of collected and uncollected PVCs from the commission. We note that several times persons known to be working for the outgoing government have been arrested with multiple PVCs but up till now the security agencies in Kogi State have done nothing to bring the criminals to book.
We call on the good people of Kogi State to remain vigilant and to raise alarm anywhere they encounter anyone engaged in any activity that could comprise the integrity of the governorship election on November 16.
Meanwhile, INEC in their response debunks the rumour and allegation from PDP.
According to the Ahmed Biambo Bagudu, Head of Voters Education and Public Enlightenment, the collection of PVC is been done across the state.
“You tender your temporary PVC and collect the original one. If you have lost your temporary one you tender affidavit at the collection centre. Collection end 30th of this month.
“Not true we are not selling PVC to any government agents. I hereby called on the general public to disregard what the Wada campaign office is saying. It’s just all lies fabricated against INEC,” he said.