Former presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Peter Obi, has called on Nigerians to take the Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) and Permanent Voter Card (PVC) collection seriously, describing the PVC as the most powerful weapon for shaping the nation’s future. He stressed that without active participation by citizens in the electoral process, democracy in Nigeria would remain weak and vulnerable to manipulation.
In a post shared via his official X handle on Monday, Obi described the PVC as “the voice of the voiceless, the shield of the weak, and the weapon of the poor against injustice and bad leadership.” He urged Nigerians to recognise that the future of the country lies in their hands, adding that election rigging can only be curtailed when the electorate is organised and determined to vote.
The Labour Party flagbearer also cautioned against vote selling, warning that politicians who engage in such practices do so not to help the people, but to gain access to public funds for looting. “Those who buy votes are not offering you charity; they are only investing in their corruption. Such people are not leaders, they are criminals in disguise,” Obi stated. He urged voters to prioritise leaders with competence, character, capacity, and compassion during elections.
Obi further emphasised that Nigeria’s democracy is under threat if citizens fail to protect the electoral process. According to him, selling votes is equivalent to mortgaging the future, as it denies citizens and their children access to quality education, healthcare, and job opportunities. He reminded Nigerians that their votes carry real power, noting that politicians would not buy them if they were worthless.
Concluding his appeal, Obi said a “New Nigeria” is possible if citizens take responsibility for the change they desire. He charged every eligible Nigerian to register, collect, and safeguard their PVCs, and ultimately use them wisely at the polls. “Our democracy is at stake. Let us stand together and prove that Nigeria belongs to the people, not to those who trade our future for selfish gain,” he declared.
