At a time when millions of Nigerians are complaining that they are yet to secure their Permanent Voter’s Card, PVC, for next month’s general elections, a report has emerged that many nationals of neighbouring countries have secured the PVC in Akwa Ibom state.
According Daily Trust report online, some nationals of other Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) resident in Akwa Ibom State on Wednesday admitted being in possession of permanent voters’ cards (PVCs) for the forthcoming elections.
It was disclosed that the president of the Togolese community in Akwa Ibom, Innocent Keuosseh, while speaking at a stakeholders’ forum organized by the Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS) in Uyo informed that some foreigners married in the state were registered as eligible voters by their in-laws who are politicians.
It was gathered that a Ghanaian national, Charles Forgon, stated that some politicians gave them gifts to vote in the elections.
“I was given N500, maggi and salt, many of us have these cards,” Forson said.
But Gideon Kwamena, also a Ghanaian, said they acquired PVCs for easy banking transaction.
However, the Comptroller of Immigration, Akwa Ibom Command, Abdullahi Garba, was said to have directed all of them to return all cards in their possession to his office for onward delivery to INEC.
He warned that no foreigner would be allowed to vote or be voted for in the elections.
