Ahead of the November 18 governorship election in Anambra State, voter cards have become a precious commodity in the state...
Investigations by our correspondent showed that politicians were buying the cards for N5,000 each, depending on location.
In rural communities, the cards were
sold for N5, 000 each while in urban areas owners of PVCs could make
between N7,000 and N10,000 per card.
Corroborating our investigation, the
governorship candidate of the Peoples Progressive Alliance in the
November poll, Mr. Godwin Ezeemo, called on security agencies to arrest
and prosecute such politicians according to extant laws.
He reminded eligible voters in the state not to mortgage their conscience and future by selling their voter cards.
He said buying and selling of voter
cards were a major challenge facing the poll, noting that the acts were
being perpetuated by vicious politicians.
He called on the Independent National
Electoral Commission to step up political enlightenment to educate
voters on the negative impact of selling their PVCs.
Ezeemo, who spoke at his country home,
Umuchu in Aguata Local Government Area of the state during a solidarity
visit to him by youths of the old Aguata union on Thursday, advised the
youths that it was their civic responsibility to use their votes to make
positive change in the state.
He said, “It is your duty to make the
rightful choice and as well ensure that the right person govern the
state. As youths, you should shun greedy politicians whose stock in
trade is to engage some of you, our future leaders, as thugs in order to
actualise their selfish political ambition.”
He said, “Some people say poverty is
responsible for the sale of their voter cards but I disagree with such
position in that people should know that such act is criminal act.
“It is better for the people to tackle
poverty by choosing the right leaders based on their ability and not
based on monetary consideration.”
He urged voters to guard jealously their voter cards and come out in their numbers to exercise their franchise in the election.
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