Social commentator Isaac Fayose has alleged widespread voter card manipulation in Ekiti State, saying the country’s electoral process has been compromised to the point where elections can no longer bring about political change.
Fayose expressed frustration over what he described as irregularities involving uncollected Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) in the state.
“No party can win an election in Nigeria. I repeat, no party, no election can change this government,” he said.
Fayose said that the number of voters who failed to collect their PVCs in Ekiti was significantly higher than what was officially reported.
“Look at what they’ve done in Ekiti. They said the people who didn’t collect their voters’ cards were only 30,000. They were more than that and over 400,000,” he alleged.
According to him, the uncollected voter cards were allegedly handed over to political interests and later used by individuals who were not originally registered and a total strangers in the state.
“What they did was give the cards to APC. You know the same way Lere, Wike’s SA, entered the INEC server and brought out details? They did the same in Ekiti and collected all the voters’ cards that were abandoned,” he claimed.
Fayose further alleged that non-indigenes were brought in from other states and paid to use the cards during elections.
“They then got non-indigenes from other states and gave them ₦20,000 each to use the cards to vote. INEC gave APC the cards that people didn’t collect,” he said.
He also questioned the effectiveness of the voter verification process.
“Even though the picture is not their picture, it’s only the card. They will just go there and use the card. Even the thumbprinting does not work anymore. They’ve removed that,” he alleged.
The commentator argued that such practices discourage citizens who hope elections can bring meaningful change.
“So you can see why Boko Haram, banditry, and kidnapping keep growing in our country, because good people who are meant to change our fortune are being rigged out,” he said.
Fayose also claimed that voting figures in parts of Ekiti had been altered to favour certain areas.
“Suddenly, Ikere, which is the second-largest area, does not produce the second-largest vote anymore. They’ve changed it on their server,” he alleged.
“The areas where they want to use those cards, their voting strength has shot up because they’ve collected the cards and are sharing them with ₦20,000 attached, even though they are not registered there,” he added.
Expressing deep pessimism about the country’s democratic process, Fayose concluded by saying he no longer believes elections can bring about a change in government.
“You can see why Nigeria no fit good. Election cannot change governments in this country, I swear to God. Omo, the country is gone. INEC, shame on you,” he said.
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