The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), in collaboration with the Ideal Community Aid Africa (ICAA), organised a Permanent Voter Card (PVC) registration exercise in Jos, Plateau State, on Saturday.

The event, held at the Jos City Park, was aimed at encouraging Nigerians to obtain their PVCs ahead of the 2027 general elections. 

Speaking with Peoples Gazette, ICAA’s Jessica Stephen said the organisation’s mandate is primarily anchored on adolescent health and adolescent rights, but also extends to political education, which informed their decision to partner with INEC for the event.

“We are encouraging people to get their PVCs. Power belongs to the people,” she said.

She further urged young Nigerians battling political apathy to obtain their voter cards, describing it as one of the most direct ways to demand the change they want to see.

An INEC staff member, who spoke on condition of anonymity, described the collaboration with ICAA as a welcome development, adding that the initiative came at a time when voter registration turnout had been notably low.

“People were not really coming out. So when they came to the office to ask if they could arrange this process, we felt it was an okay development. That was why we agreed to come out. We do not come out on Saturdays, but our boss had to take special permission for this process,” the source said.

On whether the low turnout reflected inadequate voter education on INEC’s part, the source deflected, saying, “Nigerians like last-minute processes. I know that people will come out, but people like last-minute processes.”

The source added that INEC has a voter publicity department responsible for public enlightenment and registration drives. The current registration window closes on July 10.

When asked about the widespread distrust between Nigerians and the commission, the source maintained that INEC could be trusted.

For many who showed up, the motivation ran deeper than civic duty.

“We are tired. We are suffering. If you are a Nigerian, you know what I am saying. Even if you are not a Nigerian, you can see what people are going through in the hands of bad government,” Godsave Sunday Peter told The Gazette.

“The system is not working for you, for me, or for anyone. So the only way we can change is to come together in understanding — to get our PVC, to remove whoever we want to remove and put whoever we want to put. We are voiceless, but with this, we have power,” he added.

Dabong Gyang, who already holds his PVC, said he came solely to support family members yet to register.

“We should create more awareness about voter registration. This is the first step in the process of voting. Without your PVC, you cannot vote. 

You cannot exercise your franchise as a citizen. It is when we exercise our franchise at the polls that we know we have done our part — by electing good leaders, not leaders who will buy their way into power. The change we want to see starts with this process,” he said.

Ocholi Damian Unekwu, who came to transfer his voter registration from another state to Plateau, called on Nigerians to take the process seriously.

“We have to stand and fight. We want to ensure that our votes count this time. That is why we are here. Irrespective of where we have registered before, we make transfers to states where we are available to cast our votes,” he said.

“It is important that we take our future into our own hands. We need to become very deliberate about politics and be actively involved. Every young person should be the change they envision. The future is ours, and ours to take responsibility for,” he added.