Governor David Umahi of Ebonyi State has called on residents to protect their Permanent Voter Cards against the activities of unscrupulous elements moving from house to house in the state to collect PVCs in the name of registering them as political party members.

Umahi gave the advice during a special church and thanksgiving service organised for him and his wife, Rachel, by the Abakaliki Diocese of the Anglican Church on Sunday.

The Governor, according to a statement on Monday by his Chief Press Secretary, Emma Anya, described the activities of the “unscrupulous elements” as a desperate move to clone the PVCs ahead of 2019 general elections.

He warned that a time would come when anybody that did not show his or her PVC would start paying school fees for their children and wards in the state.

He said: “Some people are into desperation again. They are trying to distract us by going from house to house to collect PVCs from people in the name of registering them for different political parties.

“A time will come that if you don’t have PVC, your child will start paying school fees. So, resist giving your PVC. If you have no PVC, you will not partake in our numerous empowerment programmes.

“Some of them also clone the PVCs so that during the day of election, you will see two people answering your name. So, don’t even show them your PVC, don’t even tell them your PVC number.”

Umahi also disclosed that his administration had concluded plan to start evangelical school programmes early next year to inculcate good moral education in “our school children.”

Turning to the clerics of the diocese, he added: “Let me also tell the church that we have planned for school evangelism from next year. We intend that in the three senatorial districts. We are going to have Ministers of God that will go round all the primary and secondary schools as well as tertiary institutions to preach about Jesus Christ and his righteousness. They will inculcate moral education in our children and also educate them on our policies.”

Commending the Anglican Church for preaching true repentance and salvation, Umahi thanked the church for their support and prayers which he said, contributed to his victory at the polls.

The Bishop of the Anglican Church, Abakaliki Diocese, Rt. Rev’d. Monday Nkwoagu, in his homely, urged leaders in the country to serve the purpose of God.

He said: “If you are a leader, you have God’s purpose fulfilled. If you are a Governor, you must have God’s purpose fulfilled. If you are a commissioner, you must have God’s purpose fulfilled.

If you serve the purpose of God in business, you will prosper, in governance, you will prosper.

“In Nigeria, we find it very difficult to see people who stand for the purpose of God. That is what is lacking in the Nigerian state.”

•Photo shows Governor Umahi.