‘Get your PVCs’, Ohanaeze, ICA urge Igbos resident in Abuja

By Maduabuchi Nmeribeh

The Igbo apex socio-cultural group, Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide and the Abuja chapter of the Igbo Community Association (ICA), have mobilized over 1.2 million Igbos resident in Abuja to obtain their Permanent Voters’ Card (PVCs) and get prepared to fully participate in the 2027 general election, by voting candidates of their choice.

This was contained in a Statement jointly signed by the President-General and Secretary-General of Abuja ICA, Engr. Ikenna Ellis-Ezenekwe and Mazi Chinwoke Emmanuel Onah.

The Association described the PVC as the new political “Ogbunigwe” for civic engagement.

The Abuja ICA launched a massive mobilization campaign, formally calling upon the over 1.2 million Igbo residents living within the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) to participate in the ongoing Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) exercise.

The Association is aligning with Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide to ensure that all eligible Igbo citizens utilize the registration window opened by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), running from May 11 to July 10.

The Association strongly warned against voters’ apathy, urging the 1.2 million Igbo residents in Abuja to arm themselves with their PVCs as a critical tool for political representation and socio-economic survival.

“Today, the most powerful weapon in the hands of the Igbo person is the PVC and the absolute ability to vote on election day. Our PVC is the new ‘Ogbunigwe’—the ultimate defensive tool for our future. We will no longer be fooled by reckless calls to boycott elections or abstain from registration; doing so is simply shooting ourselves in the foot,” the statement said.

The leadership emphasized that Ndigbo represents a massive, foundational voting bloc across Nigeria.

The group noted that any upcoming national demographic census tracking tribal distribution will firmly validate that the 1.2 million Igbo residents and the broader Igbo populace constitute the largest voting bloc in Nigeria.

To ensure the success of the mobilization grid, the Association made a direct appeal to major political stakeholders and leaders of Igbo extraction resident in Abuja to join the mobilization campaign.

“Specifically, the group calls upon Hon. Ben Kalu, the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, to lead the cause of getting the Igbo political leaders in Abuja to join this very important exercise.

“To eliminate barriers to registration, the Igbo Community Association FCT is establishing localized assistance centers and a dedicated citizen helpline.

“The 1.2 million Igbo residents who require support with online pre-registrations, biometric capture locations, profile corrections, or PVC transfers are urged to reach out immediately,” the Statement added.

The Abuja Igbo Community Association is the apex socio-cultural body representing the interests, welfare, and cultural heritage of over 1.2 million Igbo residents living within Nigeria’s Federal Capital Territory. (FCT).

The Association works in tandem with national bodies like Ohanaeze Ndigbo to promote unity, civic responsibility, and progressive representation for Ndigbo on the national stage.