Make Election Rigging Difficult — Peter Obi Urges Nigerians to Get PVCs
Former presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Peter Obi, has renewed his appeal to Nigerians to take ownership of the democratic process by registering and collecting their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) ahead of the 2027 general election.
Obi, who made the call in a statement titled “PVC is the Bridge to a New Nigeria,” described the PVC as the most powerful tool in the hands of ordinary citizens to defeat corruption, resist bad governance, and make election rigging far more difficult.
Obi told Nigerians that the PVC is more than just a card — it is “the voice of the voiceless, the shield of the weak, and the weapon of the poor for a better life, against injustice and bad leadership.”
He urged young people, first-time voters, and even those who had become disillusioned by Nigeria’s broken political system not to give up, but instead to see their PVCs as their greatest weapon in shaping the future.
The former Anambra governor also delivered a stern warning to Nigerians on the dangers of selling their votes. According to him, those who buy votes are not offering gifts but are merely making investments in future corruption.
“They buy votes so they can buy their way into our treasury to steal public money. When they get into office, they loot the funds that should have built schools, hospitals, or provided good jobs. Such people are not leaders — they are criminals in disguise,” Obi said.
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He likened vote-selling to mortgaging the nation’s future, stressing that the consequences go beyond one election cycle.
With Nigeria still reeling from the effects of corruption, poverty, and leadership failure, Obi said the 2027 elections would be a defining moment. He called on citizens to safeguard their PVCs and to resist intimidation, deceit, and financial inducement during the polls.
“Our democracy is at stake. That is why I urge every eligible Nigerian to register, collect, and safeguard your PVC. When the time comes, use it wisely. Vote for leaders of competence, character, capacity, and compassion. Do not be intimidated, do not be deceived, and do not be bought,” he added.
Obi concluded his message by reminding Nigerians that real power rests with the people — not with corrupt politicians who trade the future for their own selfish interests.
For him, the path to rescuing Nigeria does not lie in empty promises but in citizens taking active control of the ballot box.
PVC is the bridge to a New Nigeria
Today, I want to plead with every Nigerian, young and old to heed this call to action.The future of our dear nation is in your hands. The greatest strength of democracy is in the voter’s card. Your PVC is the voice of the voiceless, the shield of the weak, and the weapon of the poor for a better life, against injustice and bad leadership. I appeal to every Nigerian: Get Organised and Make Election Rigging Difficult. Go out, register, collect your PVC, and hold it firmly as your bridge to a new Nigeria.Let us know this: those who buy votes are not offering you charity; they only invest in their own corruption. They buy votes so that they can buy their way into our treasury to steal public money. When they get into that office, they will loot the funds that should have been used to build schools, hospitals or provide good jobs. Such people are not leaders, they are criminals in disguise. They are no better than killers, armed robbers, and kidnappers, because they commit the same crime of destruction.To those who sell their votes, you are not just selling an election, you are selling the very opportunities that would have lifted you and your family out of poverty. You are selling the schools that your children should have attended, the hospitals that should save your loved ones and the jobs that would have given you dignity and a better life. Those who buy your vote are only buying it to make a profit from the seat of power, not to serve you.The power to change this country is in your hands, the looters will only loot when we give them the opportunity. Your vote counts, if it doesn’t, they would not be desperately buying that vote.Every Nigerian must rise and take responsibility for building the nation we dream of.Our democracy is at stake. That is why I urge every eligible Nigerian to register, collect, and safeguard your PVC, and when the time comes, use it wisely. Vote for leaders of competence, character, capacity, and compassion. Leaders who will put you first. Do not be intimidated, do not be deceived, and do not be bought.Let us stand together and prove that Nigeria belongs to the people, not to those who trade our future for their selfish gain.Register to vote, because a new Nigeria starts with you.A New Nigeria is POssible.– PO