Ahead of the 2023 general election, the Labour Party on Tuesday alleged that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) is systematically disenfranchising supporters of Peter Obi, presidential flag-bearer of the party.
In a statement obtained by POLITICS NIGERIA, the opposition party said the two major political parties: the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) are “dictating” the collection of Permanent Voter’s Cards (PVCs) and INEC officials are “complicit”.
It called on Professor Mahmood Yakubu, the INEC Chairman, to wade into the situation to salvage the integrity of the commission.
The statement reads: “It has come to our attention that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) is complicit in allowing ruling political parties in different parts of Nigeria to dictate Permanent Voter’s Card collection, as they did with Voters registration. This action will mar the integrity of the 2023 Nigerian General election, with the potential to destroy the Commission’s hard-earned independence.
“From various sources across the nation, we have witnessed and received widespread systematic disenfranchisement of voters, particularly in areas considered by some bad intentioned persons as unfavourable to their antics, leading to delay in issuance of voters card or deliberate denial to issue PVC’s to persons considered to be of specific identity.
“We wish to reiterate that these systematic disenfranchisement have been reported to @inecnigeria, and they have largely turned a blind eye, allowing their personnel to treat Nigerians with disdain.
“We call on the Commission and its Chairman Professor Mahmood Yakubu to uphold the integrity of the Commission by identifying these compromised officials.
“We urge all citizens, labour Party members, #Obidients and all lovers of Democracy to tag/forward video recordings from all polling units showing the process of collection of Permanent Voters Cards to us.
“We shall continue to ensure that your civic rights are not truncated.”
