Former Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, has called on Nigerians to participate actively in the ongoing Continuous Voter Registration (CVR), stressing that the Permanent Voter Card (PVC) is the most powerful tool citizens have to influence the nation’s future.

In a statement shared on his official X account on Monday, Obi described the PVC as “the voice of the voiceless, the shield of the weak, and the weapon of the poor against injustice and bad leadership.” He urged Nigerians not to underestimate the value of their votes, noting that democracy draws its greatest strength from the ballot.

The former Anambra State governor warned against vote-selling, which he said compromises the future of the electorate and empowers corrupt politicians. He argued that those who buy votes do so to gain unrestricted access to public resources, describing such individuals as “criminals in disguise, not leaders.”

Obi added that selling votes robs citizens and their children of access to quality healthcare, education, and employment opportunities. He therefore urged Nigerians to support leaders who demonstrate competence, character, capacity, and compassion.

“The power to change this country is in your hands. Looters can only succeed when we allow them. Your vote counts—if it didn’t, they wouldn’t be so desperate to buy it,” he said.

The 2023 Labour Party flagbearer stressed that protecting Nigeria’s democracy requires vigilance and organisation among citizens to reduce the likelihood of electoral malpractice. He reaffirmed his conviction that “a new Nigeria is possible” if people take collective responsibility for the change they desire.