THOUSANDS OF RURAL VOTERS IN ADAMAWA AT RISK OF MISSING 2027 ELECTIONS

By Bamanga Abdullahi Gombi Yola.

Thousands of eligible voters in rural communities across Adamawa State risk missing the 2027 general elections due to poor awareness of Permanent Voter Card PVC registration and collection.

A Radio Nigeria survey found that inadequate awareness and limited access to registration and collection centres have hindered many eligible voters from obtaining their PVCs.

Radio Nigeria Correspondent, Bamanga Abdullahi, reports.

A 30-year-old resident of Koda Village in Girei Local Government Area, Abubakar Maigari, expressed concern over the difficulty of accessing PVCs in his community.

 He said that although he registered previously, he has been unable to collect his card due to a lack of clear information.

Mr. Maigari said the absence of a PVC collection centre in Koda Village forces residents to travel to Girei town, with the high cost of transportation preventing many from collecting their cards.

Also speaking, an 18-year-old resident of Gudumniya Village in Hong Local Government Area, Hamidu Bamanga, said he did not register for his PVC because the poor attitude of some politicians, who persure only personal gain after election, has discouraged many young people, who believe elected leaders often neglect the needs of the people, especially the youth.

«“Collecting the Permanent Voter Card, PVC, is the only way youths can hold leaders accountable and elect people who will truly serve the community with sincerity.”»

Meanwhile, the Independent National Electoral Commission INEC in Adamawa State said PVC collection remains low despite efforts to decentralize the exercise across the state's 21 Local Government Areas.

The State Public Affairs Officer of the Commission, Dahiru Jauro, said registration centres have been established on a rotational basis at the ward level, especially in hard-to-reach communities, to make registration and PVC collection more accessible.

«“Continuous Voter Registration is ongoing. It commenced on 11th May and was initially scheduled to end on 10th July, but has now been extended to 26th July, 2026, including weekends,” he said.»

He urged all Nigerians aged 18 years and above, as well as those with issues relating to their PVCs, to take advantage of the extension to register and collect their cards.

The General Manager of Fombina FM, Yola, Alhaji Muhammad Babayo Asha, said the station promotes voter registration and PVC collection through its political programme, Nigeria A Yau, and jingles in local languages to educate rural communities.

«"He further reaffirmed the station's commitment to voter education through sustained public enlightenment and factual news reportage."»

The Adamawa State Director of the National Orientation Agency NOA, Richard Bala Dangari, said the Agency is intensifying voter education across the state's 21 Local Government Areas through traditional rulers, religious leaders, and Community Orientation and Mobilization Officers who communicate in local languages.

Dangari said NOA is partnering with media organizations and political parties to promote the ongoing Continuous Voter Registration CVR and PVC collection across the state.

The Director also identified the concentration of registration centres at Local Government headquarters, overcrowding, economic hardship, and public distrust as major barriers to voter registration, adding that the Agency is working to rebuild confidence in the electoral process and strengthen democracy.