Businessman and social commentator Isaac Fayose has sparked debate online after expressing concerns about vote-buying and the impact of poverty on Nigeria’s electoral process.
Speaking in a video, Fayose questioned the growing calls for Nigerians to obtain their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs), arguing that economic hardship could still influence how people vote.
According to him, some citizens may end up selling their votes despite efforts to encourage voter participation.
“People are saying, ‘Go and get your PVC, go and get your PVC.’ Are you sure those collecting their PVCs won’t end up selling their votes?
“Imagine some Nigerians collecting giveaways from kidnappers on TikTok. They have dragged Nigeria’s poverty level to -50. Our mumu is too much in this country.”
His comments quickly generated reactions online, with many Nigerians sharing different perspectives on voter responsibility, poverty and the country’s political future.
@ConstantPolaris
“We don’t need this pessimistic defeatist energy please.”
@ChuchuBr9976724
“Abeg which handle for TikTok them dey do the giveaway, I wan go warned them since Tinubu no fit talk to them.”
@derealmarlarkey
“PVC isn’t the problem. Poverty and survival pressure are, people don’t just sell votes, they sell survival decisions. Fix the system, not just the voter.”
@SoulOnFire_0
“This is a harsh look at where we are as a society. It feels like we are constantly dealing with the consequences of poverty, which makes it even harder to fix the bigger problems in our country.”
@Tunnyflo009
“They’ll sell it, I don’t trust most Nigerians when it comes to palliatives or money sharing. We’re just a greedy nation and our leaders know how to handle us.”
@Ogechex
“The first step should be to get the PVC, other measures can follow later.”
@DarkFilesNG
“This man speaks reality but sentiment clouded a lot of us and sees it as if his talks don’t make sense.”
@Owolabiolajid10
“Can you imagine dropping accounts for bandits 🤦🏾♂️😭💔.”
@Jelks148609
“Nigeria is down.”
@Kerperskyy
“He’s speaking facts. Extreme poverty has really made people lose their dignity, selling votes will just destroy our future.”
@LeixunJoachin
“Na poverty and hardship cause am🤦♂️.”