The camp of Senator Emmanuel Bwacha has condemned reports alleging that civil servants and teachers in Taraba state were directed to submit photocopies of their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) or risk having their salaries withheld.

In a statement issued by J .Y. Nafinji, Special Assistant on Media to Senator Bwacha, the alleged directive was described as coercive, unacceptable and a “panic measure” allegedly aimed at influencing the outcome of forthcoming elections in the state.

The statement argued that public servants should not be placed in a situation where they have to choose between protecting their personal voter information and receiving their legitimate earnings.

The Senator’s camp called on relevant electoral and security agencies, as well as the Presidency, to investigate what it described as credible reports of voter intimidation and abuse of public office.

It maintained that the outcome of elections in Taraba State cannot be determined by the number of civil servants alone, stressing that the collective decision of voters at the ballot box remains the ultimate determinant in any democratic process.

The statement also cautioned public servants and university staff who it alleged were being targeted for election-related duties under official arrangements to remain vigilant and avoid actions that could compromise 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 read.

The opposition camp added that it was monitoring developments and would release any credible evidence of electoral misconduct or wrongdoing at the appropriate time.

Meanwhile, the Taraba State Universal Basic Education Board (TSUBEB) has dismissed as false and misleading reports circulating on social media alleging that its Chairperson, Mrs. Christiana Binga, directed teachers to submit photocopies of their PVCs or face salary withholding.

In a statement issued by the Board’s management, TSUBEB described the allegation as “false, baseless and a deliberate misrepresentation” of the Chairperson’s remarks.

The Board stated that Mrs. Binga never instructed teachers to submit photocopies of their PVCs as a condition for salary payment or for any official purpose.

According to TSUBEB, the Chairperson only encouraged teachers and other education personnel to obtain their Permanent Voter Cards to enable them participate in elections and exercise their constitutional right to vote.

The Board said Mrs. Binga’s message was aimed at promoting civic responsibility, democratic participation and awareness among education workers.

TSUBEB further clarified that the Chairperson directed Education Secretaries across the state not to demand or collect teachers’ PVCs, but only to encourage eligible staff members to register and obtain their voter cards.

The Board condemned what it described as an attempt to twist the Chairperson’s remarks and create unnecessary anxiety among teachers and members of the public.

It urged teachers, education stakeholders and residents of the state to disregard unverified reports circulating online and rely on official communication channels for accurate information.

TSUBEB reaffirmed its commitment to protecting the welfare of teachers, improving basic education standards and upholding the constitutional rights of citizens.

As at the time if filing this report, the dispute, as noticed by The Guardian, has continued to generate public discussion in Taraba, with the opposition calling for investigation into the allegations while TSUBEB insists that no directive compelling teachers to submit PVC copies was ever issued.