Opposition, TSUBEB clash as govt allegedly orders Taraba workers to present PVC before salary

A fresh political controversy has again erupted in Taraba State following allegations that civil servants and teachers were directed to submit photocopies of their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) or risk having their salaries withheld. The claim has drawn sharp condemnation from the camp of Senator Emmanuel Bwacha and an equally strong denial from the Taraba State Universal Basic Education Board (TSUBEB).

The controversy began after reports circulated on social media alleging that the state government, through the Chairperson of TSUBEB, Mrs. Christiana Binga, instructed teachers to provide photocopies of their PVCs as a condition for receiving their salaries.

Reacting to the reports, the camp of Senator Emmanuel Bwacha described the alleged directive as coercive, unconstitutional, and a desperate attempt to manipulate the electoral process.

In a statement signed by his Special Assistant on Media, J.Y. Nafinji, the alleged directive was characterized as a “panic measure” aimed at influencing the outcome of forthcoming elections.

“No responsible government should place public servants in a position where they must choose between protecting their personal voter information and earning their salaries,” Bwacha’s media aide said.

The senator’s media aide called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), security agencies, and the Presidency to investigate what he described as credible reports of voter intimidation and abuse of public office.

The statement further argued that the outcome of elections in Taraba State cannot be determined by the number of civil servants alone, maintaining that the collective will of the electorate remains the deciding factor in any democratic contest.

It also urged public servants and university staff, who it claimed were being targeted for election-related assignments under official arrangements, to remain vigilant and avoid actions capable of compromising their professional integrity.

“If the government has performed well, it should have confidence in the people’s judgment at the ballot box rather than resorting to actions that create suspicion and fear. Democracy must be defended through transparency, not coercion,” the statement said.

The opposition camp also stated that it was closely monitoring developments and would make public any credible evidence of electoral misconduct at the appropriate time.

In a swift response, the Taraba State Universal Basic Education Board dismissed the allegations as false and misleading.

In a statement signed by its management, the board described the reports as “false, baseless, and a deliberate misrepresentation” of remarks made by its chairperson, Mrs. Christiana Binga.

According to TSUBEB, the chairperson never instructed teachers to submit photocopies of their Permanent Voter Cards as a condition for salary payment or for any official purpose.

The board explained that Mrs. Binga merely encouraged teachers and other education personnel to obtain their PVCs to enable them to exercise their constitutional right to vote during elections, stressing the importance of civic participation and responsible citizenship.

TSUBEB further clarified that the chairperson expressly directed all Education Secretaries not to demand or request teachers’ PVCs but only to encourage eligible staff to register and obtain their voter cards for electoral participation.

The board condemned what it described as attempts to distort the chairperson’s remarks and create unnecessary anxiety among teachers, urging members of the public to disregard the reports and rely solely on official communication channels.

It also reaffirmed its commitment to the welfare of teachers, the promotion of quality basic education, and the protection of the constitutional rights of all citizens.

Some teachers and civil servants whom our reporter reached out to for comment said none of their leaders had conveyed such communication or directives to them.

The exchange has heightened political tensions in the state ahead of future electoral activities, with the opposition insisting that allegations of voter intimidation deserve an independent investigation, while TSUBEB maintains that no directive requiring the submission of PVCs was ever issued.

As both sides stand by their positions, attention is expected to shift to electoral authorities and relevant security agencies to determine whether any evidence exists to substantiate the allegations that have dominated public discourse.