The Abia State Government has alleged that an ongoing scheme is being conducted by some politicians who reportedly collect Permanent Voter Card (PVC) details from unsuspecting residents in exchange for \u20a610,000 under the guise of creating an \u201ce-wallet\u201d for empowerment.<\/h2>\n
Governor Alex Otti\u2019<\/strong>s administration described the development as a politically motivated and fraudulent scheme targeting rural dwellers across the state.<\/p>\n In a statement signed and issued late Monday by the Special Adviser to Governor Otti on Media and Publicity, Ferdinand Ekeoma, the state government said unnamed politicians and their agents are orchestrating the scam with the sole aim of compromising the 2027 general elections.<\/p>\n \u201cThe intention of the sponsors and perpetrators of the criminal act is to compromise the authenticity of such PVCs and render the owners unfit to vote during the 2027 election,\u201d<\/em> Ekeoma stated.<\/p>\n He described the fake empowerment scheme as a deceptive ruse aimed at collecting sensitive voter data, warning citizens not to fall victim.<\/p>\n The government reiterated that all genuine empowerment initiatives from the Otti-led administration are conducted transparently and without any conditions tied to political allegiance or submission of voter information.<\/p>\n \u201cAbia State Government has carried out various empowerment programmes for the youths and the elderly across the state and will continue to do more without politicisation or attachment of questionable preconditions,\u201d<\/em> the statement affirmed.<\/p>\n Ekeoma stressed that the government would not tolerate any attempt to manipulate the electoral system or disenfranchise citizens under any guise.<\/p>\n He issued a strong warning to those behind the act:\u00a0\u201cGovernment views this deliberate act of criminality as irresponsible and warns that any person or persons, no matter how highly placed, caught indulging in this act\u2026 shall face severe consequences beyond their imagination.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n The government concluded by appealing to residents, especially those in rural communities, to avoid giving out their PVC details or any personal information to individuals or groups claiming to offer empowerment packages.<\/p>\n \u201cAbia people, especially the rural dwellers, should henceforth distance themselves from any individual or group who may approach them for the purpose of obtaining information contained on their PVCs or any other personal information that may disenfranchise or endanger them in any way,\u201d<\/em> the statement urged.<\/p>\n While no names have been disclosed, the state\u2019s warning comes amidst heightened political activities across Nigeria ahead of the 2027 elections.<\/p>\n \n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n