In January 2023, a rumor spread through several civil service unions that the Federal Government had mandated that all federal employees must show their Permanent Voters Card (PVC) to their various payroll offices or face a suspension of their January salaries. The rumor claimed this was a measure to ensure maximum participation in the upcoming general elections.
The Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation (OHCSF) issued a circular to all Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) clarifying that no such directive had been given. The OHCSF stated that while it encourages all citizens to exercise their right to vote, salary payments are contractual obligations based on work performed and cannot be legally tied to the possession of a voters card.
Labor leaders also weighed in, calling the rumor an attempt to cause unnecessary friction between the government and its workforce. The “No PVC, No Salary” narrative has appeared in various forms during previous election cycles in Nigeria, but it has never been a formal federal policy. Employees were advised to continue their duties without fear of unauthorized deductions or salary freezes.
