The Makinde-Daura Presidential Campaign Organisation has raised concerns over the alleged plan to use unclaimed Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) to manipulate the 2027 presidential election in favour of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
The campaign organisation alleged that some officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) were planning to release millions of unclaimed PVCs to APC-linked individuals ahead of the election.
It called on INEC to urgently address the allegation and explain how uncollected voter cards are being protected across the country.
The allegation was contained in a statement issued on Thursday and signed by the Director of Strategic Communications of the Makinde-Daura Presidential Campaign Organisation, Richard Ihediwa.
The campaign said the issue was too serious to be ignored, particularly as political parties intensify their preparations for the 2027 general election.
It warned that any compromise in the custody of unclaimed PVCs could create room for electoral manipulation and weaken public confidence in the outcome of the election.
According to the campaign, compromised electoral officials could allegedly allow unregistered persons or individuals without legitimate voting rights to gain access to unclaimed cards.
It further claimed that such cards could be used to facilitate activities at polling units and influence election results in favour of the APC.
The organisation said INEC had a responsibility to provide Nigerians with clear information about the number of unclaimed PVCs in its custody and the measures being taken to secure them.
“An unclaimed PVC must neither be a disposable property nor a political asset to the enemies of credible elections,” the campaign said.
It insisted that unclaimed cards should remain under strict control and should not be treated as political instruments.
INEC has already listed the presidential and National Assembly election for January 16, 2027, while the governorship and state House of Assembly elections are scheduled for February 6, 2027.
The commission has also announced plans to strengthen the voter register ahead of the elections.
The electoral commission has maintained systems for voters who have registered but are yet to collect their PVCs.
Its voter services portal allows registered voters to check where they can pick up their uncollected cards.
INEC also publishes PVC statistics and polling-unit-level information as part of its electoral transparency measures.
Against this background, the Makinde campaign wants INEC to provide more detailed information on the unclaimed cards before the election.
It specifically challenged the commission to publish a state-by-state breakdown showing the number of uncollected PVCs currently in its custody.
The campaign also asked INEC to disclose the security arrangements in place to prevent unauthorised persons from accessing, collecting or transferring the cards.
“Nigerians do not need post-election explanations; they deserve pre-election transparency,” the organisation said.
The campaign argued that releasing such information ahead of the election would help Nigerians understand how the electoral commission was managing the voter register and the physical cards linked to registered voters.
It also called on citizens to pay closer attention to developments around their polling units as the election approaches.
The organisation urged voters to report suspicious activities to the appropriate security agencies and accredited election observers.
It equally called on international observers expected to monitor the 2027 election to seek clear assurances from INEC on the protection of unclaimed PVCs.
“The 2027 general elections must not be an exercise in which Nigerians merely vote; it must be an election in which every legitimate vote is protected and every attempt to manufacture or manipulate votes is decisively resisted,” the campaign said.
The organisation warned that the credibility of the 2027 election would depend not only on the voting process but also on the steps taken before election day to protect the voters’ register and electoral materials.
Makinde, who is the presidential candidate of the Allied Peoples Movement (APM), has been expanding his political activities ahead of the poll.
His campaign organisation recently announced a national campaign management structure headed by former Minister of State for Aviation, Felix Hassan Hyat, as Director-General.
The campaign has also commenced consultations across the country as it seeks support for the Makinde-Daura ticket.
Makinde recently took his campaign to Katsina for a North-West zonal town hall meeting as part of the planned nationwide engagements.
Makinde’s emergence as a presidential contender has already attracted criticism from the APC.
The Oyo State chapter of the ruling party recently dismissed his presidential ambition and described him as a “noise maker”, while questioning his ability to challenge President Bola Tinubu in the 2027 election.
The call places further attention on INEC’s responsibility to maintain confidence in the electoral process.
The commission has repeatedly described a credible voter register as central to free and fair elections.
It has also acknowledged concerns surrounding duplicate registrations, incomplete records and other irregularities in the national register, with a voter revalidation exercise planned ahead of the 2027 election.
