‘Bola Made Life Expensive, I’ll Make It Affordable Again’ — Atiku Urges Nigerians To Collect PVCs

Former Vice-President and African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, has urged registered voters to collect their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs), describing them as instruments for peaceful political change.

Atiku also criticised the economic conditions under President Bola Tinubu, promising to make life affordable and restore security for Nigerians if elected president.

The former vice-president made the call in a video posted on his verified Facebook handle on Wednesday, titled, “My fellow Nigerians, young and old, I know the pain you are carrying.”

In the video, Atiku acknowledged the economic difficulties confronting Nigerian households, highlighting the challenges faced by parents, pensioners and young people amid rising living costs and insecurity.

He said, “My fellow Nigerians, young and old, I know the pain you are carrying.

“Parents go to bed worried about what they will feed their children tomorrow. Pensioners must choose between buying medicine and buying food. Young people work hard, yet transport, rent and basic needs consume what they earn. And across the country, families live with the fear of kidnapping, attacks and whether their loved ones will return home safely.

“No family should have to face hunger and insecurity at the same time. We cannot allow this hardship and fear to become the future our children inherit.

“If you are a registered voter, please go and COLLECT YOUR PVC. Hold on to it. It is your voice, your choice and your peaceful power to demand change.

“Bola made life expensive. I will work to make life affordable again and restore the security every Nigerian deserves. Let us stand together, across generations, and vote for a Nigeria where every family can live with dignity, safety and hope.”

Atiku’s message comes as political activities and preparations gather momentum ahead of the 2027 general elections, with economic hardship, insecurity and the cost of living remaining prominent issues in the national discourse.

LEADERSHIP reports that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) had announced that the PVC were ready for collection for those who registered in 2025 and previous registrations

INEC had said; “Registered in 2025? Your PVC is now ready for collection. The cards are available for fresh registrants, transfers, replacements, and those who carried out information updates or reviews in 2025. Voters from previous registration exercises can also collect theirs.

“If you registered, requested a transfer, or applied for a replacement of a lost or damaged PVC during the first phase, your PVC will be available for collection,” the Commission said.

It added that “Uncollected PVCs from previous voter registration exercises will also be available.”

Collection at the Registration Areas (RAs) runs from Friday, October 9, to Thursday, October 15, 2026. From Friday, October 16, 2026, it moved to the Local Government Areas LGAs. INEC’s schedule puts the hours at 9am to 3pm.

In the same period, the Commission said, “From Friday, 9th to Thursday, 15th October 2026, the Independent National Electoral Commission INEC will display the National Register of Voters for public scrutiny at all Registration Areas nationwide.”