SERAP asks Buhari to arrest politicians buying PVCs

The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project, SERAP wants President Muhammadu Buhari to arrest politicians buying Permanent Voter Cards, PVCs from poor Nigerians.

In a statement, SERAP’s Deputy Director, Kolawole Oluwadare, advised President Mohammadu Buhari to urgently direct the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice Mr Abubakar Malami, and appropriate anti-corruption agencies to identify and arrest politicians who are allegedly buying PVCs from poor voters.

The statement calls on the President to ensure that the politicians and their sponsors who are suspected to be involved in act are named and shamed, regardless of their political affiliations.

“Buying of PVCs from poor Nigerians is a threat to fair and representative elections, as it amounts to vote buying, undue influence and improper electoral influence,”.

“The allegations that politicians and their sponsors are buying PVCs from poor Nigerians are grave violations of the Nigerian Constitution 1999 [as amended], the Electoral Act, and the country’s international anti-corruption and human rights obligations.”

The statement adds that buying PVCs will deprive people their right to vote which is central to the enjoyment of other basic human rights.