The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has been accused of irregularities in the distribution of Permanent Voters’ Cards (PVCs) in Kwali Area Council of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja, raising concerns about possible voter disenfranchisement ahead of upcoming elections.
The allegation was raised by Enyowins, the African Action Congress (AAC) councillorship candidate for Pai Ward, who claimed that his PVC was issued to another individual despite having completed the voter registration process.
In a video shared on X (formerly Twitter) on Thursday, the candidate accused INEC officials in Kwali of handing over voters’ cards to people other than their rightful owners.
“The INEC in Kwali is giving voters’ cards of registered voters to other people,” he said. “My voters’ card has been given to someone else. What kind of madness is this?”
Another affected voter, whose PVC was allegedly released to a different person, also spoke in the video, claiming that hundreds of voters were impacted by the incident.
“As it stands, this is the INEC office. Usman Godwin’s voter’s card has been collected by someone else,” the voter said. “About 250 voters’ cards were thumb-printed, signed for and collected on behalf of individuals, including myself, yet our PVCs cannot be found. We want to know who took them, why they were handed over, and where our cards are.”
The allegations have triggered widespread concern among residents and political stakeholders in the area, with fears that such mix-ups could disenfranchise eligible voters during elections in the FCT and beyond.
The incident has also intensified public anxiety over the credibility of voter registration and PVC distribution processes, especially in regions previously affected by administrative lapses and logistical challenges.
Efforts to obtain a response from INEC headquarters in Abuja were unsuccessful as of the time of filing this report, and the commission has yet to issue an official statement addressing the claims.
Observers warn that unresolved PVC distribution irregularities could undermine public confidence in the electoral process and restrict citizens’ ability to exercise their voting rights.
Residents and political actors in Kwali have called on INEC to immediately investigate the allegations, recover any improperly issued PVCs, and ensure that all eligible voters receive their correct cards.
As scrutiny intensifies, voters across the FCT are watching closely to see how INEC responds to the controversy, amid broader demands for transparency and accountability in Nigeria’s electoral system.
