As preparations intensify for the Anambra State governorship election scheduled for November 8, reports have emerged that some political actors are targeting residents’ National Identity Numbers (NIN) in an apparent bid to manipulate the electoral process.
According to Naija News, leading parties such as the All Progressives Congress (APC), Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Labour Party (LP), and the incumbent All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) have completed their primary elections. Governor Chukwuma Soludo secured the APGA ticket for a second term. The PDP chose Jude Ezenwafor, the APC picked Nicholas Ukachukwu, and the LP settled on George Muoghalu.
Meanwhile, the state government has raised concerns over suspicious activities by individuals allegedly working on behalf of certain political figures. In a statement released on Wednesday, Anambra State Commissioner for Information, Law Mefor, warned that residents were being approached in communities by people collecting their NINs under false pretenses.
Mefor revealed that the ultimate goal of these political agents is to exploit personal data to compromise voters’ identities and possibly clone or override their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs).
He stated: “The Anambra State Government has been alerted to the activities of certain individuals and groups who are going around various communities collecting National Identification Numbers (NIN) from unsuspecting residents.”
“These individuals falsely claim that the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) is conducting a NIN revalidation exercise or issuing permanent National Identity Cards.”
“However, inquiries with the NIMC have confirmed that no such exercise is currently underway. Further investigation has revealed that these individuals are part of a fraudulent scheme allegedly sponsored by desperate politicians.”
“Their aim is to use the NINs and personal details of citizens to illegally hijack Voter Cards. By doing so, they can override legitimate Voter Cards and issue new ones in their own names or those of their associates.”
“This criminal activity means that during elections, the real owners of the stolen identities may be unable to vote, as the voter database would no longer recognize them as valid voters.”
“The Government therefore advises anyone asked to submit his or her NIN to call the Anambra State security number, 5111, for their apprehension and other necessary actions.”
