As the 2023 elections draw near, the leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party PDP in Nasarawa State has raised alarm over electoral fraud in the state.
This was contained in a statement signed by the party’s Public Relations Officer, Mr. Ibrahim Hamza.
According to the statement, the Leadership of PDP in the state has alleged that they received a report that some government officials are going around collecting the Voter’s Vin Numbers that is on Permanent Voter Cards, PVCs of pensioners in a form designed by the agents of government in the state as a condition for payment of their pension and gratuities.
“To say the least, this is a sad development and it’s unfortunate, given the fact that these set of people sacrificed their productive years to effectively serve their fatherland, and now needed the love, protection, respect, and care of government only to be treated this way, this is most inhuman and unconstitutional.
“It is pertinent to note that Payment of pension and gratuities to retired workers is not a privilege but a right for their entitlements. So for some government officials to begin to initiate partisan politics regarding the payment is most disheartening.
“To this end, the Peoples Democratic Party PDP in Nasarawa State wants to use this medium to condemn the act in totality and urge INEC and all relevant security agencies to go after the perpetrators and their sponsors, arrest and prosecute them to serve as a deterrent to other, while the pensioners are advised to resist this ugly temptation.
“This is a clear manifestation and the handwork of enemies of democracy and Nigeria in their attempt to frustrate, manipulate, and disrupt the electoral process and manipulate their way to power through dubious means,” the statement read.
Meanwhile, the Chairman Nasarawa State Chapter of the Nigeria Union of Pensioners, Abdullahi Baba, said that the APC in Nasarawa State has a platform for support groups, and pensioners who are interested are free to enroll.
He said Part of the process was to register by filling out a form where you will be required to submit your PVC number.
Adding that no condition is attached because it’s voluntary for any interested pensioner. “Among all the numerous APC support groups including civil servants, Why is PDP so particular about pensioners’ enrollment for the support group?
“It is solely our initiative as interested Pensioners to join the support group No government agent or the state pension bureau is involved in our political affairs”, he noted.
Confidence Okwuchi
