The 2023 presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP, Peter Obi, has implored Nigerians to recognise the Permanent Voter’s Card (PVC) as the essential tool for building a better future for the nation.
In a statement posted on his X page on Monday, Obi addressed citizens of all ages, stressing that the future of Nigeria rests in their hands and that the PVC is the ultimate expression of democratic power.
Obi described the PVC as “the voice of the voiceless, the shield of the weak, and the weapon of the poor” against injustice and poor governance.
He appealed to Nigerians to get organised, register, and collect their PVCs, and hold them firmly as a “bridge to a new Nigeria,” making it difficult for election rigging to occur.
He further cautioned citizens against selling their votes, characterising the act as self-sabotage.
According to the former governor of Anambra State, those who buy votes are not being charitable; they are investing in their own corruption to gain access to public funds.
The 64-year-old stated that these individuals are “criminals in disguise” and are no better than “killers, armed robbers, and kidnappers” because they destroy the very fabric of society by looting funds meant for essential services like schools, hospitals, and jobs.
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Obi also admonished those who sell their votes, explaining that they are not just trading an election but also forfeiting opportunities for their families, such as education for their children, healthcare for their loved ones, and dignified employment.
He emphasised that the power to change the country lies with the people, and vote buying would not be so desperate if the votes did not matter.
He appealed for every eligible Nigerian to take responsibility for building the nation of their dreams.
Obi urged citizens to register, collect, and safeguard their PVCs, using them wisely to elect leaders who possess competence, character, capacity, and compassion.
He advised Nigerians not to be intimidated, deceived, or bought, but to stand together to prove that the country belongs to the people, not to those who trade its future for personal gain.
