No PVCs, No Renewal Of Shops, Abia Traders Warned

By Suleiman Anyalewechi

The leadership of Abia State Amalgamated Traders Association, ASMATA, ,has underscored the need for traders in Abia State to take all necessary steps towards ensuring that they register and  obtain their Permanent Voters Cards, PVCs, National Identification number, NIN, and  Abia State Social Identification Number, ABSSIN.

This is as ASMATA directed the leadership of all Market Association in the State to effectively embark on an  aggressive and massive sensitization and mobilization of traders on the  urgent and compelling need for them to obtain their PVCs to enable them participate actively in the fast approaching 2027 general elections.

In  a statement jointly issued on Wednesday March 4, 2026,  by Chief Alphonsus Udeigbo, President General, Akwarandu Anyim Secretary, and Ejike Urams Public Relations Officer, the ASMATA emphasized the importance of Abia traders adequately preparing themselves for the task of fully getting involved in the country’s electoral process in 2027.

The umbrella body of all traders in Abia State warned that post-2027 polls ,the possession of PVCs, NIN and ABSSIN will be a necessary pre-condition for traders to renew  their shops and business premises at all the markets in the state.

The statement  noted that the ASMATA leadership has been directed by the Abia State Government to liase and engage with all market leaderships in the State to ensure that traders avail themselves the opportunity of the remaining window allowed for the registration and  collection of PVCs, NIN and  ABSSIN.

In the letter, titled: “Directive to Embark on Full Education/Enlightenment Of All Business Communities and Traders In Abia Markets On The Importance Of PVC”,  addressed to the ASMATA leadership by the Abia State Commissioner for Trade and Commerce, Dr Salome Obiukwu, and dated February 23, 2026, the Abia state Government warned that  no trader’s shop will be renewed after the 2027 general elections without the presentation of PVCs, NIN, and ABSSIN.

“I write to direct your office/Association to coordinate all markets in Aba and across Abia state to ensure that traders who have not yet registered for their Permanent Voters Cards PVCs do so without further delay.

“This is very important as the 2027 general elections are fast approaching. Hence, after the 2027 general elections, no trader’s shop will be renewed without evidence of a Permanent Voters Card (PVC) a National Identification Card, and  ABSSIN.

“You are, therefore, advised to liase with market leaders in the various Markets to ensure that this exercise is carried out promptly . Kindly encourage everyone to participate . If you encounter any challenges in the course of this assignment, please notify the Ministry accordingly”, the Commissioner stated.

To this end, the ASMATA leadership urged traders in the state to ensure full participation in the exercise, as a veritable way of supporting and encouraging efforts at repositioning the state.