Fact-Check: No Evidence INEC Gave Uncollected PVCs to Non-Indigenes for Voting in Ekiti

Claim: An X user shared a video alleging that INEC was distributing uncollected PVCs to non-indigenes for use in vote buying during the Ekiti governorship election.

Verdict: Unsubstantiated. The video provides no verifiable evidence

Full Story

An X user shared a video featuring Isaac Fayose alleging that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) was distributing unclaimed Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) for electoral manipulation during the ongoing Ekiti governorship election. INEC has announced that out of 1.06 million registered voters, 97.1% have been collected in Ekiti State.

In the viral video, Fayose alleged that people he described as non-indigenes of Ekiti State were given uncollected PVCs and paid ₦20,000 each to vote for a political party. He also claimed the cards were distributed by INEC or its representatives.

The footage shows a man apparently handing cards to a group that includes several elderly women seated at a gathering. However, it does not disclose the location or identify those involved. It also does not show any INEC official or prove that the cards were PVCs.

The allegation surfaced hours into the Ekiti governorship election, where incumbent Governor Biodun Oyebanji of the APC faced challengers, including the PDP candidate, Dr. Oluwole Oluyede.

NDRFactCheck investigated the claim.

Verification

NDRFactCheck reviewed the video and found that it does not substantiate the allegation made by Isaac Fayose.

First, the footage does not show any identifiable INEC official distributing PVCs. The individuals in the video cannot be linked to INEC based on the available evidence.

Second, the footage does not prove that the cards shown were Permanent Voter Cards. It also provides no evidence that the recipients were non-indigenes of Ekiti State or had been recruited to vote.

Third, no supporting documentation, official report, election observer account, arrest record, or investigative finding has been presented to corroborate the allegation.

As part of its verification, NDRFactCheck contacted INEC’s Public Relations Officer in Ekiti State, Mr. Fajewonyomi Akinwumi. He dismissed the allegation as baseless and unsupported, saying anyone with credible evidence should submit it to the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) for appropriate action.

Isaac Fayose has spoken publicly about vote-buying and electoral malpractice during the Ekiti election. However, allegations must be supported by evidence before they can be treated as fact, regardless of who makes them.

NDRFactCheck also noted that Fayose had previously alleged that a former governor imported 5,000 thugs into Ekiti State ahead of the election, a claim that was similarly checked by NDRFactCheck to be unproven.

Conclusion

At the time of this report, no credible evidence has emerged to support the claim that INEC distributed uncollected PVCs to non-indigenes or facilitated vote buying using such cards.

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