IMO, Nigeria – The People’s Democratic Party, PDP, of Imo State has raised grave concerns over alleged election manipulation strategies by Governor Hope Uzodimma, accusing him of plotting voter identity theft, rampant harvest of Permanent Voter Cards, PVCs, and compromise of the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System, BVAS.
In a press conference held on Sunday, May 21, 2023, the party’s Publicity Secretary, Collins Opurozor, charged the Governor with attempting to subvert the upcoming November 11th Governorship election to retain his hold on power.
“Two days ago, Imo people woke up to the unsettling news that Sen. Uzodimma had dispatched his government’s representatives to all polling units in the state to commence the illicit collection of PVCs from the populace,” said Opurozor, elaborating on the Governor’s alleged tactics.
He further accused the Governor’s regime of issuing what they branded as an “Imo State Social Benefit Number” to residents.
This move, purportedly aimed at alleviating poverty and disease, is a strategic ruse designed to encourage voters to willingly surrender their PVCs, according to the PDP.
Opurozor said, “This deceptive tactic has unfortunately led to many Imo people becoming victims of voter identity theft, aimed at the replication of PVCs and front-loading of the BVAS prior to the crucial Governorship election.”
The party also alleged that Governor Uzodimma’s administration is coaxing citizens into providing their Bank Verification Number, BVN, and National Identity Number, NIN, posing potential threats to personal security and privacy.
“With these details, Governor Uzodimma can track the whereabouts of anyone in Imo State, subjecting them to potential arrest, harassment, intimidation, and possible harm,” Opurozor added.
The PDP has issued a call to the Inspector General of Police and the Director General of the State Security Service, DSS, to thoroughly investigate the activities of Governor Uzodimma.
The party is demanding the immediate arrest and prosecution of his appointees and agents implicated in these alleged acts of electoral fraud.
In spite of these challenges, Opurozor rallied party supporters, urging them to keep faith with the PDP and its Governorship candidate, Sen. Samuel Anyanwu.
“Anyanwu has the character and a proven track record to deliver good governance and a clear roadmap to rescue the state from the vortex of hardship and misery,” he assured.
The PDP, however, expressed its dismay at the Federal Government’s silence on Governor Uzodimma’s alleged misuse of Imo State for undemocratic and totalitarian experimentation.
It remains to be seen whether these allegations will lead to decisive action from national law enforcement and electoral bodies.
