Shocker: Oyo Voters Allegedly Use PVCs as Collateral for Loans

Oyo Voters Allegedly Use PVCs as Collateral for Loans

Concerns have emerged in Oyo State over reports that some voters allegedly used their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) as collateral to obtain loans ahead of the 2019 general elections.

The issue was raised during a town hall meeting held in Ibadan on Friday to promote greater participation of women in the electoral process.

The programme, organised by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in collaboration with Educare Trust, brought together women’s groups and gender-focused civil society organisations.

During the meeting, one of the participants asked how women who had surrendered their PVCs in exchange for loans would be able to vote on election day.

Responding, INEC Administrative Secretary David Asemo, who represented the Resident Electoral Commissioner, Mutiu Agboke, said anyone who gave up possession of their PVC had effectively deprived themselves of the opportunity to vote.

He stressed that INEC could not be held responsible for voters who voluntarily surrendered their cards and urged residents to reject vote buying and other practices capable of undermining the electoral process.

Women at the meeting also expressed concern about their safety during the elections, citing reported incidents of political violence in the state.

Oyo State Director of the National Orientation Agency (NOA), Dolapo Dosunmu, warned women against exchanging their PVCs or votes for money or other financial benefits.

She said accepting short-term financial inducements from politicians could negatively affect the future of families and communities.

According to Dosunmu, women should recognise their importance in society and refuse to allow politicians to reduce their participation in democracy to financial transactions.

She urged women to remain positive influences in their communities and to make electoral decisions based on the interests of their families and the wider society.

Also speaking, former President of the National Council of Women Societies, Kemi Adeleke, encouraged women to actively participate in the forthcoming elections and exercise their civic responsibilities by voting for candidates of their choice.