The African Democratic Congress Presidential Campaign Council (ADC-PCC) has called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to ensure transparency ahead of the commencement of Permanent Voter Card (PVC) collection. The council warned INEC against actions that could favour the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC). According to the ADC-PCC, the credibility of the 2027 general elections depends on INEC's ability to remain neutral, independent, and transparent throughout the electoral process.
INEC Chairman, Prof. Joash Amupitan, announced that PVC collection would commence nationwide on October 9, following the recent voter registration exercise which produced more than 10.7 million new registrations. Amupitan also called for the removal of bottlenecks affecting PVC distribution at the Local Government Area level to prevent eligible citizens from being disenfranchised by logistical challenges. The ADC-PCC urged INEC to ensure that Nigerians who successfully registered as voters are able to obtain their PVCs.
The council's Director of Media and Publicity, Kola Ologbondiyan, stated that the actual number of PVCs collected should be given as much importance as the number of newly registered voters. He emphasized that what gives a citizen power on election day is not that their name is in a register, but that they have their PVC in hand. The council expressed concern over alleged bureaucratic delays and bottlenecks at PVC collection centres, particularly in areas regarded as strongholds of opposition parties.
The ADC-PCC demanded that INEC demonstrate its independence by resisting any attempt by the APC to influence its decisions or operations. The council called on Amupitan to decentralise PVC collection to the ward level, extend collection hours, and deploy technology that would enable voters to receive notifications when their cards were ready for collection. They also urged INEC to ensure strict compliance with the Constitution and Electoral Act from voter registration through the declaration of election results.
The campaign council warned that it is monitoring INEC's activities ahead of the 2027 elections, stressing that Nigerians and the international democratic community are also watching the process. Ologbondiyan said Nigerians view the 2027 election as an opportunity to change the government through the ballot, and any attempt to manipulate the process or tilt it towards the ruling party would face lawful and resolute resistance.
The ADC-PCC cautioned against unequal distribution or delayed release of PVCs, saying such practices could undermine confidence in the electoral process and threaten democracy. Ologbondiyan urged Nigerians, particularly first-time voters, not to be discouraged by administrative difficulties but to actively participate in the process and ensure they collect their PVCs.
The ADC-PCC said its presidential candidate remains prepared to participate in the 2027 election provided INEC guarantees a free, fair, credible, and violence-free contest. The council emphasized that INEC's loyalty must be to the Constitution, not to the APC, and that the ADC stands with Nigerians in demanding an election where votes count and where the PVC truly becomes the weapon of the people to change their destiny.
Key points
- The ADC-PCC demands greater transparency from INEC ahead of PVC collection.
- The council warns INEC against actions that could favour the ruling APC.
- The ADC-PCC urges INEC to decentralise PVC collection and deploy technology to facilitate the process.
