The development underscores growing public anxieties about the integrity of voter registration and distribution processes, particularly in areas where logistical challenges and administrative errors have previously been reported.
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has been accused of improperly distributing Permanent Voters’ Cards (PVCs) in Kwali Area Council of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, leading to registered voters being denied their own cards and others receiving them in their place.
In a video posted on X (formerly Twitter) on Thursday, a user identified as @Enyowins — the African Action (AAC) councillorship candidate for Pai Ward — claimed that his PVC, which he obtained after registering to vote, was issued to someone else by INEC officials.
“The INEC in Kwali is giving the voters card of registered voters to other people,” the candidate alleged in the video. “My voters card has been given to someone else by INEC Nigeria. What kind of madness is this?”
In the video clip seen by SaharaReporters on Saturday, a voter who's PVC had been issued to another person, was overheard saying:
"As it stands now this is INEC office .. Usman Godwin voter's card has been collected from INEC. This is one among two hundred and fifty voters cards collected in INEC office, thumb printed, signed and collected on behalf of individuals including myself and there's no way the PVC could be found.
"We are asking the INEC chairman and INEC officials here who took those voters cards, where are they? How would they handed over Voters cards to individuals illegitimately, people who do not registered for these voters cards. I am an example and so many of us are here. We want to know where our voters cards are. Tell us where those voters cards are, who took them and why they gave them out."
The post quickly drew attention from concerned voters, many of whom expressed frustration and worry that similar mix-ups could disenfranchise large numbers of citizens ahead of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Council and future elections.
The development underscores growing public anxieties about the integrity of voter registration and distribution processes, particularly in areas where logistical challenges and administrative errors have previously been reported.
Efforts to reach INEC’s headquarters in Abuja for comment were unsuccessful as at the time of filing this report.
The electoral commission has not yet responded to the allegations or the specific claims made by the AAC candidate.
Voter card distribution irregularities could have serious implications for citizens’ ability to participate in elections, especially as stakeholders continue to push for reforms and transparency in the electoral process.
The alleged incident in Kwali joins a series of complaints from across the country about challenges in PVC collection, from long queues and inadequate supply to outright losses or mix-ups that risk disenfranchising eligible voters.
Local residents and political actors have called on INEC to urgently investigate the matter, ensure that affected voters receive their correct PVCs, and guarantee that such errors do not undermine electoral credibility.
As the controversy unfolds, voters in Kwali and beyond will be closely watching INEC’s next steps, concerned about both their right to vote and wider confidence in Nigeria’s electoral system.