Tension has risen in Taraba State after reports emerged suggesting that the government, through the State Universal Basic Education Board (TSUBEB), required workers to hand over copies of their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) to qualify for pay. The opposition, led by Senator Emmanuel Bwacha, quickly slammed the alleged policy as an illegal tactic to manipulate upcoming elections.
J.Y. Nafinji, an aide to Senator Bwacha, labeled the reported requirement as a desperate act of intimidation. He urged security agencies and the Independent National Electoral Commission to look into the matter, arguing that public employees should not be pressured to compromise their personal information to receive earned wages. The opposition group warned they are keeping a close watch for any evidence of electoral misconduct.
TSUBEB issued a firm rebuttal, characterizing the claims as entirely false and a manipulation of statements made by its chairperson, Mrs. Christiana Binga. The board stated that Binga merely encouraged staff to secure their voter cards so they could exercise their civic duty during elections. According to the board, explicit instructions were given to Education Secretaries to avoid requesting any employee’s voter card information.
Several teachers and civil servants informed reporters that they had not received any official directives matching the rumors. With both parties holding firm on their conflicting accounts, the focus now turns to election observers and security officials to clarify the situation as political friction continues to grow in the region.
