Human Rights Crusader, Social Critic and Chairman of the Civil Liberties Organisation (CLO), Anambra State, Evangelist Comrade Vincent Ezekwueme AMBP-UN, has declared a nationwide citizens action tagged “Operation Register, Collect Your PVC, Vote and Defend Your Vote" as a necessary step to restore credibility, accountability and justice to Nigeria’s electoral process ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Ezekwueme made the declaration while delivering a keynote public lecture at the 2026 JDPC Week of the Justice, Development, Peace and Caritas (JDPC) Commission and Parishioners of St. John De Baptist Catholic Church, Odoakpu, Onitsha, Anambra State.

The theme of the JDPC Week was “Towards 2027 General Elections: Stocktaking and Citizens Mobilization For A New Nigeria”.

COMMENDS JDPC DIRECTOR

In his opening remarks, Comrade Ezekwueme commended the Director of JDPC, Archdiocese of Onitsha, Rev. Fr. Dr. Edwin Udoye, for his foresight, courage and pastoral wisdom in choosing such a salient, timely and patriotic topic at a time when many Nigerians have become lukewarm, indifferent and disillusioned about the electoral process due to disappointment over the outcome of the 2023 general elections.

He described the theme as apt, prophetic and capable of reawakening the civic consciousness of the people.

“WE MUST NOT GIVE UP”

“I most passionately and patriotically appeal to citizens not to give up on Nigeria and not to give up on democracy. We must continue to struggle until our good is made better and our better is made best. Democracy is not a spectator sport; it demands active participation,” Ezekwueme stated.

He warned that voter apathy, indifference, nonchalant attitude and undernourishment is a dangerous threat to good governance, adding that when good people abandon politics, evil people occupy the space and make decisions that affect everyone.

SOUTHEAST: A POLITICAL DWARF

The CLO chieftain expressed deep concern that among the six geopolitical zones in Nigeria, the Southeast remains the least in terms of voters registration, PVC collection and actual voting on election day.

“It is pathetic and despicable that the Southeast, which is highly educated, politically conscious and economically vibrant, is now a political dwarf in Nigeria’s electoral map. In every periodic and off-cycle election, less than twenty percent of registered voters in the zone cast their votes. This is self-disenfranchisement and it has grave consequences,” he lamented.

He noted that since the inception of the present democratic dispensation in 1999, the Southeast remains the only geopolitical zone that has not produced a President or Vice President in a country anchored on equity, justice and federal character.

CONDEMNS EXTORTION BY SOME INEC OFFICIALS

Ezekwueme condemned in strong terms what he described as continuous sabotage of the Continuous Voters Registration (CVR) and PVC collection exercise by some unpatriotic INEC officials in the Southeast.

He alleged that reports from the field indicate that some officials demand gratification or bribe from prospective registrants before registering them or releasing their PVCs.

“This unpatriotic, corrupt and criminal act has discouraged many qualified citizens, especially youths, women and the elderly, from registering. INEC leadership must investigate, sanction erring staff and make the process seamless, free and people-friendly,” he demanded.

CALL FOR OPERATION “HAVE YOU COLLECTED YOUR PVC?”

To reverse the ugly trend, the human rights crusader called on religious leaders, traditional rulers, town union leaders, market leaders, political parties, civil society organizations, students unions and the media to declare an immediate grassroots campaign tagged “OPERATION HAVE YOU COLLECTED YOUR VOTERS CARD?”

According to him, the Continuous Voters Registration Exercise is the foundation and fundamental basis of any credible electoral process.

“Without a voters card, one cannot vote or be voted for. The PVC is your power, your voice, your weapon against bad leadership. It is more powerful than guns and money,” he emphasized.

He drew attention to one of Mahatma Gandhi’s Seven Blunders of the World – “Rights without Responsibility” – stressing that it is the inalienable right of citizens to ensure the election of honest, transparent, competent, compassionate and God-fearing leaders and the elimination of corruption and injustice.

2027: POWER BELONGS TO THE PEOPLE

Ezekwueme called on the Nigerian electorate to use the 2027 general elections to send a clear message to the political class that power truly belongs to the people.

“Nigerians are the kings, masters and bosses of politicians. The electorate must assert this power by obtaining their PVCs, voting according to their conscience and conviction, above ethnicity, religion and clan cleavages, and defending their votes to ensure they count,” he said.

Quoting former Ethiopian Emperor Haile Selassie, he said: “The inaction of those who should have known better and the silence of the voice of justice when it matters most has given evil power to triumph.”

He added: "Politics determines the socio-economic, religious, cultural and political life of every nation. If we don’t take interest in politics, politics will certainly take interest in us, whether we like it or not.”

WAR AGAINST ELECTORAL VICES

The CLO Chieftain appealed to JDPC, CLO, Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Catholic Laity Council, market associations, traditional institutions and CSOs to embark on aggressive mobilization, sensitization, voter education and advocacy for active and decisive participation in the electoral process.

He also urged them to condemn with great disdain and actively discourage monetization and commercialization of the electoral process, vote buying and vote selling, thuggery, ballot box snatching, falsification of results and all forms of electoral injustice and impunity.

“If we sell our votes, we sell our future. If we sell our votes, we mortgage the future of our children. Let us say no to vote buying and selling,” he warned.

CONCLUSION

Comrade Ezekwueme concluded that the 2027 general elections provide another golden opportunity for Nigerians to correct the mistakes of the past, rebuild trust in the electoral system and elect servant-leaders who will prioritize the welfare and security of the people.

He prayed for a peaceful, credible and transparent election that will reflect the true will of the Nigerian people.

Chairman of JDPC, Chief Mark Egwu, commended Comrade Ezekwueme for his invaluable lecture and immense contributions protections and preservations human rights, good governance socioeconomic and political justice. “Ezekwueme is courageous, consistent, selfless human rights activist who always discomforts himself to comfort others and patriotically tell truth to power,” he said.