2027: FCT Natives Urge Residents To Collect PVCs, Reject Poor Representation

The Abuja Original Inhabitants Youth Empowerment Organisation (AOIYEO) has urged residents and Original Inhabitants of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) to collect their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) ahead of the 2027 general elections, warning against a repeat of what it described as the “mistake” of the 2023 elections.

The organisation said the collection and effective use of PVCs remained the major means through which residents could influence the choice of their representatives in the Senate and House of Representatives.

In a statement, the executive director of AOIYEO and director of Projects and Programmes of FCT-SA, Amb Isaac David, said residents of the FCT must ensure that they did not repeat the alleged wrong choice of representatives made in 2023.

According to him, the consequence of the 2023 election was what he described as a disconnect between the people and their elected representatives, with many communities allegedly not feeling the impact of Senate representation.

David questioned the benefits of democracy to residents and Original Inhabitants of the FCT, particularly in the areas of budgetary representation and community development.

He said, “In 2023, we used our own hands to choose a Senator and House of Reps who are not representing us. Today, where is the benefit of democracy in FCT?

“Where is the budget representation for our indigenous communities and residents of FCT?”

The AOIYEO leader alleged that there was a “total disconnection” between the Senate and the people, arguing that elected leadership was far removed from voters and that the 858 communities in the FCT were not feeling sufficient Senate presence.

He listed lack of empowerment, advocacy for full political and administrative structures, a State House of Assembly and governorship election for the FCT, as well as advocacy for justice and equal rights among the issues he said required stronger representation.

He also identified the rights to life, property and land, the right to representation, freedom from discrimination and protection of the dignity of FCT Original Inhabitants as areas requiring greater political advocacy.

David further said there was insufficient advocacy for the development of an Original Inhabitants Community Development Policy (CDP).

He attributed the situation to what he described as the wrong choice made with the PVC in the 2023 elections and urged residents to avoid a repeat in 2027.

“To avoid this mistake again in 2027, go and collect your PVC,” he said.

According to him, the PVC represents the political strength and power of voters and remains the means through which residents can change their representatives.

“If you don’t collect your PVC, you have no power to change the bad Senate. If you don’t collect your PVC, you will allow the same disconnect to continue for another four years, and na big wahala be that again,” he said.

David called on every Original Inhabitant and resident of the FCT to collect their PVCs at INEC offices and prepare to use them wisely during the 2027 elections.

He urged voters to support candidates capable of providing good governance and representing the interests of their constituents.

“This time, we must vote for good governance. We must vote for a Senator and two House of Reps who will live with us, speak for us, and bring budget benefits to poor masses who are the largest voters,” he said.

He called for an end to what he described as wrong Senate and House of Representatives representation, political disconnect and poor representation in the FCT.

“No more wrong Senate, no more bad House of Reps, no more disconnection and no more bad representation,” David said.

He urged residents to use their voting strength and political power to put good governance in place, stressing: “No PVC, no power to change Senate, House of Reps and no good representation.”

He concluded by calling for God’s blessings upon the FCT, its Original Inhabitants and all residents.