Some Catholic priests in Nigeria have enforced a policy of “no Permanent Voter Card (PVC), no Sunday Mass”.
In videos viewed by SaharaReporters on Sunday, some church members were denied access to Sunday Masses due to their inability to display their permanent voter cards issued by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
At St. Matthew’s Catholic Church in Utugwang, Obudu Local Government Area of Cross River State, the deputy parish chief was heard directing those who had their PVCs to enter the church. church and those who had none to go home.
At another Catholic parish believed to be in one of the north central states, the Reverend Father was heard saying, “From today, if you come for Mass, bring your PVC. If you don’t have your PVC, don’t bother coming.
“Because it is impossible for Christians to fill the church, but only a handful of them will vote in the elections.
“So that means our population and our numbers mean nothing. We therefore want Christians to take their responsibilities and roles seriously.
“So today I’m serious about it. While I’m standing here, if you have your PVC – start coming in. But if you don’t have your PVC, find your way back. You don’t not attend Mass here.
As the political processes leading up to the 2023 general elections continue to escalate, private, public and religious organizations have intensified campaigns for their staff and members respectively to obtain their PVCs enabling them to exercise their civic responsibility.
No PVC, No Entry
It happened this morning at St. Matthew’s Catholic Church in Utugwang, Obudu LGA of Cross River State.
Dear Nigerian politicians, you have all pushed the people beyond the limit. Business will not be business as usual in 2023.
Name of Erunke Kenny-G pic.twitter.com/yrjqrKXzzm
—Obaro Tiblaze (@ObaroTiblaze) June 12, 2022
Last Thursday, the Alaba International Market in Lagos was closed to allow traders to get their PVCs ahead of the 2023 general election.
A law firm, Antonio Lex Firma, has also threatened to withhold the salaries of its employees if they do not have voter cards as part of their civic duty before the 2023 elections.