The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Permanent voters cards (PVCs)

  • Vote wisely, Fayemi tells teachers

    Ekiti State Governor Dr. Kayode Fayemi has urged teachers in the state to use their Permanent Voters Cards (PVCs) positively for the progress and sustainable development of the state.

    Fayemi said the state would benefit more in terms of educational, infrastructural, industrial development with stronger alignment with the Federal Government.

    He added that since he became the governor, development partners and government agencies are already supporting the activities of the state in the education sector due to his alignment with the government at the centre.

    The governor spoke in Ado-Ekiti,the State capital during an interactive session with representatives of teachers across primary and secondary schools at the  Ekiti parapo pavilion.

    He disclosed his administration had paid the SUBEB counterpart fund for 2016, 2017 and 2018 to the tune of N3.3 billion, which is expected to bring N6.6 billion to the state for renovation of some schools, provision of necessary facilities and educational materials in the public schools.

    The governor stated the government is committed to recruitment of teachers in the state, promising the exercise would be devoid of political and community coloration.

    According to him: “We have a golden opportunity in Ekiti. And the opportunity is that we can consolidate better on these positive steps we have taken if we have a government in Ekiti that is in a very strong alignment with the government at the center.

    Read Also: Fayemi sponsors free cataract surgeries

    “I am not a promoter of mainstream politics for its own sake but I want to assure you that Ekiti has an advantage through me this time around.

    “If we have a strong relationship with the Federal Government, it will be difficult for Ekiti people to enjoy the benefits of such a relationship.

    “So, we are in campaign season and I know you have PVCs. For our own sake let’s use it positively so that we can all enjoy the benefits of good governance.

    “I don’t want Ekiti to be retrogressive but rather progressive so that the needs of our younger generation can assured and not compromised.”

  • Address alleged sale of unclaimed PVCs, Saraki tells INEC

    Senate President, Abubakar Bukola Saraki, on Wednesday asked the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), to quickly look into the claim that politicians are buying uncollected Permanent Voters Cards (PVCs) for use during the February elections.

    Saraki also urged the electoral umpire not to spare any sacrifice that would ensure the conduct of free, fair and credible elections.

    The Senate President stated this in his welcome address to senators after their four-week Christmas and New Year break.

    He underscored the need for restraint by those who wield power in taking actions that might be misconstrued as coloured by partisan considerations.

    Saraki who insisted that the issue of PVCs remained a concern, said that INEC should rise to the occasion giving urgent attention to the matter especially when fresh claims have been raised about people buying PVCs.

    He reiterated the need for INEC to bring relevant stakeholders together for a dialogue on a way forward to tackle the issues, ahead of the elections.

    Those vying for elective positions, he said, should eschew do or die politics particularly when there will still be one Nigeria after the polls.

    Saraki advised against the violation of the Judiciary warning that if the third arm of government was desecrated, it will erode the confidence of the people in the judiciary

    He noted that the Senate in the last three and a half years in an unprecedented manner, has passed 257 bills.

    He said that indications all over the country showed that Nigerians were in an anticipatory mood “because this year 2019, Nigeria has a date with destiny.”

    Saraki said: “The issue of PVCs remains a concern. I call on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to give urgent attention to the matter.  Issue has similarly been raised about people buying PVCs; this should also be looked into. Let me take this opportunity to reiterate the need for INEC to bring relevant stakeholders together for a dialogue on a way forward to tackle these issues, ahead of the elections.

    “Everything must be done and every sacrifice must be made to ensure free and fair 2019 Elections. INEC is encouraged to engage the parties and be transparent in its decision making.

    “It is important that the people are assured of the commission’s resolve and commitment to credible elections.

    “On that note, I wish to lay emphasis on the role of the Judiciary in promoting justice and bringing respect to the country.

    “If the Judiciary is violated or eroded or otherwise brought to ill repute, so do the values attached to its role in a democracy.

    “Everyone in the political value chain should therefore do nothing that could raise tensions in the country.

    “Nigerians are looking up to leaders who will douse flames that have the potential to threaten the peace and wellbeing of our country.

    “Leaders should help reduce the tension in the polity by contributing to an atmosphere of moderate and measured political conversations.

    “Expectations of the Executive are also palpable, particularly with regard to the need to uphold the Constitution and its tenets, especially as they guarantee the minimum basic requirement of Separation of Powers; the unity of the country and the welfare of the citizens.

    “In that respect, it bears reminding that the exercise of power must be anchored in the best democratic principles.

    “The former US President Obama’s Doctrine of Restraint as a key feature in the use of power, is commended to us in this polity at this crucial time.

    Read Also: Saraki: 2019 election not about me

    “Some of the reports and occurrences in recent times speak to this need for restraint. Those who exercise power should do their best to avoid any action that stands the risk of being misconstrued as coloured by partisan considerations.”

    On bills passed by the upper chamber, Saraki said: “This is an epoch making Senate that had, by the end of 2018, passed an unprecedented 257 bills, many of which are groundbreaking enough to change the game to meet the needs of Nigerians, with the potential to radically transform their lives for the better.

    “Nigerians expect us to continue in this vein, and we owe it to ourselves to meet their expectations.

    “The legacy of the 8th Senate will be written in the legislative footprints that we leave, and the foundation that we lay.

    “Therefore, we must ensure that we continue to address issues affecting Nigerians, and concerning which they seek our intervention.

    “Issues such as unemployment, lack of economic opportunities, insecurity and so on – these still require the attention of the National Assembly.

    “Every action that we can take to address these issues through the legislative function, we must take; everything that we can do, we must do. We must ensure that we conclude work on all outstanding bills and petitions; and bring successful conclusion to all issues and investigations brought to the attention of this Senate.

    He continued, “We must have a country after the elections. We all still have to live among ourselves when the polls have closed and the elections are over.

    “The rhetoric leading up to the elections must therefore be mindful of the need for moderation, decorum and respect.

    “To those of us who are contesting, let us remember that our biggest offer is to serve. Ultimately, the Nigerian people have a right to choose who will represent them at all levels. It is not a do or die affair.

    “I encourage all to participate in the coming polls and I wish Nigerians a safe 2019 Election.”

  • Community leader tasks INEC on PVCs collection

    Mr Adekunle Olokode, Chairman, Harmony Community Development Association (CDA), Sabo, Ikorodu, Lagos State, has urged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to collaborate with CDAs and other groups to ensure collection of Permanent Voters Cards (PVCs).

    Olokode, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) at the End-of-the-Year party of the CDA, that many registered voters had not been given their PVCs at the designated places by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

    It has been in the news lately that many PVCs are at designated places for collection across the states.

    For instance, it has been reported that 688, 972 PVCs were yet to be collected by the rightful owners in Kano State.

    The community leader, therefore, urged INEC to collaborate more with CDAs and credible election advocacy groups as well as traditional leaders across Nigeria to enhance voter education.

    “Every potential group, institution or association must be brought on board the fight against every act that aims to spoil the polls for us and cause chaos in the country,’’ he said.

    Olokode said the success of the 2019 general elections depended on massive participation of the electorate and as such, there was need to ensure that all PVCs were collected by their rightful owners.

    He also appealed to residents of his community and others to collect their PVCs to enable them vote in the forthcoming general elections.

    Olokode said a situation where many voters could not exercise their franchise due to none availability of their PVCs was likely to undermine the credibility of the 2019 general elections.

    “INEC must be double sure it supplies all PVCs to designated offices for the owners to collect them.

    “It is extremely important that INEC collaborates with relevant agencies of government to ensure 90 per cent of registered voters get to vote,’’ said Olokode.

    NAN

  • 400,000 PVCs unclaimed in Rivers – Senate Committee

    The Senate Committee on Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has expressed concern over more than 400,000 Permanent Voter’s Cards (PVCs) unclaimed in Rivers INEC office.

    Sen. Suleiman Nazif, Chairman, Senate Committee on INEC, made this known after an oversight function of the committee in Port Harcourt on Monday.

    Nazif is the PDP Senator representing Bauchi North Federal Constituency.

    He said that though INEC had shown readiness in terms of manpower and facility upgrade, low PVC collection rate in Rivers was a source of great concern in the forthcoming general elections.

    “We are here in Rivers to see first-hand how prepared INEC is ahead of the 2019 general elections.

    “We went round their offices and we saw the state of the card readers at the IT Department. We had a chart with the staff and they assured us that they were all geared up and ready for the 2019 elections.

    “We also requested to see the published register and we sought to know the response level toward PVC collection and we found out that over 400,000 PVCs had not yet been collected,’’ Nazif said.

    The lawmaker, however, said that the committee would cooperate with INEC toward ensuring that every person living and in the best state of health claimed his or her PVC before the election.

    Nazif said that though INEC was working very hard, it should do more in the area of distribution of PVCs across localities.

    Read Also: 238,309 PVCs still unclaimed in Nasarawa State – INEC

    He urged INEC to start pasting names of owners of unclaimed PVCs in affected localities to improve on collection response.

    Attributing high number of unclaimed PVCs in the state to relocation or death of some PVC owners, the lawmaker urged every eligible Nigerian voter to secure a Permanent Voter’s Card.

    “What surprised us most is that the recent PVCs produced a couple of months ago had been collected while the old ones remained unclaimed.

    “I think that owners of the unclaimed PVCs may have been posted out from the state. Some of them may be students, who got registered in their final year and may have graduated and left the area, while some owners may have passed on.

    “Whatever be the situation, 400,000 unclaimed PVCs in only one state is not a good sign of a progressive attitude toward election.

    “It is incumbent on all eligible Nigerian voters to secure their PVCs. It is a thing of pride to have a card that enables us exercise our franchise, ‘’ Nazif said.

    Concerning the status of the card readers, the lawmaker explained that he was satisfied with the storage and safety of the device in Rivers.

  • INEC tasks political parties on credible primaries

    The Independent National Electoral Commission ( INEC ), has urged political parties to conduct credible primary elections ahead of the 2019 general polls.

    Alhaji Hussaini Pai, its Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) in Plateau, gave this advice in an interactive session with the political parties on Wednesday in Jos.

    According to Pai, credible party primaries will ensure free and fair general elections in 2019.

    “We want you to conduct credible primaries, because only acceptable primaries will ensure free, fair and credible general elections in 2019,” he stated.

    The REC said the interactive session was part of the commission’s plans in ensuring acceptable general elections in 2019.

    He described political parties as critical stakeholders in the conduct of any election, hence the need to educate them on its level of preparedness.

    Read Also: Why Nigerians should participate actively in electoral process — INEC

    “INEC is determined to deliver free and fair elections in 2019; in fact, we are ready for it, but we cannot do it alone, and so key election stakeholders must be involved.

    “INEC is conducting elections for the parties because they are the ones, who present candidates who will stand for elections. This is why this type of interaction is necessary,” he said.

    Pai also advised the political parties to sensitise members on the need to collect their Permanent Voters Cards (PVCs) from the commission.

    According to him, more than 200, 000 PVCs remain uncollected by prospective voters in Plateau.

    “The commission didn’t produce these PVCs for fun, it was produced for the purpose of election and I wonder why people will not come to collect theirs.

    “People must know that it is only when you have your PVC that you will be allowed to vote on election days.

    “So we are urging all political parties to sensitise their members to go and collect their PVCs to enable them vote in the 2019 general elections,” he added.

  • INEC seeks support of Obaseki in voters’ mobilization

    …Collection of 514,638 PVCs

     

    The Edo State Independent National Electoral Commissioner (INEC) Commissioner, Mr. Emmanuel Alex Hart, on Thursday sought the support of the Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki in mobilising Edo people and residents to participate in the programmes of the electoral body in the state.

    The new INEC Commissioner in the state made the request during a courtesy visit to the governor, in Government House, Benin City.

    “I am here to solicit your collaboration as an influential stakeholder to mobilise the entire citizenry of the state to participate and be more active in all the activities of the Commission, including Continuous Voters’ Registration (CVR), collection of Permanent Voters’ Cards (PVCs) among others,” Mr. Hart said.

    According to Hart, “the Commission in Edo State is still having in its custody a total 445, 301 PVCs from the 2011 to 2016 registration stock.

    Read Also:We’ll deploy enhanced smart card readers for Ekiti poll – INEC

    “Out of the 78, 398 new PVCs supplied to the state for 2017, only 9, 061 have been distributed, with 69, 337 PVCs yet to be collected, bringing the total number of registrants for the second quarter as at July 3, 2018 to 53, 271.

    “The total transfer request for the second quarter as at July 3, 2018 is 5, 239, and the total transfer applications in 2017 till date is 18, 517. The total registration for 2017 till date is 184, 717, while the total number of uncollected PVCs (old and new) as at July 3, 2018 is 514, 638.

    In his remark, the Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, assured the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) of his administration’s readiness to support the electoral body in reducing the number of uncollected Permanent Voters’ Cards (PVCs) in the state.

    “We will assist you to do your work. I urge you to let us know and understand the scope of the challenges to enable us deal with the problem,” the governor said, adding that support would be extended to INEC in its voters’ education programme as well as the sensitisation on the collection of PVCs in the state.

    “We will set up a response team that will work with your Information and Communication Technology (ICT) staff to carry out analysis of the areas with high incidence either at the ward or community level, so as to know where we can step-up action to locate those who are still residing in the locality for them to collect their PVCs,” Obaseki assured.

     

  • Hoodlums abduct INEC official in A’Ibom

    ….Demand N10m ransom

     

    Hoodlums suspected to be cultists have abducted a staff of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), serving at the commission’s area office in Ukanafun local government area of Akwa Ibom state.

    The victim, one Otobong Sylvester Ukpong, an indigene of Iwukem village in Etim Ekpo local government area, was reportedly kidnapped Tuesday morning while going to work.

    Our correspondent gathered that the incident occurred near the Government Primary School, Oruk Ata2 along the Ukanafun-Azumini expressway.

    The victim’s brother, Mbetobong Sylvester Ukpong, told reporters, “My brother was kidnapped at Uruk Ata2, in the morning hours of Tuesday, June 5, 2018, on his way to work in his office at Ukanafun Local Government Area office of INEC”.

    Read Also:Gunmen abduct wife of retired Agip employee

    Mbetobong explained that his brother, whom he explained, “is the last in the family”, was on a major mission to the office, despite crisis of insecurity in the area, to distribute Permanent Voters’ Cards (PVCs) to the electorates.

    He said his brother’s captors have contacted the family, and are demanding N10 million as ransom. “They used my brother’s phone number to call the family to disclose their ransom before they release him, but the elders of the family have told them such demand is outrageous for a largely peasant family to pay”, he said.

    When contacted, the police public relations officer (PPRO), Odiko MacDon DSP told our correspondent that he was yet to be officially briefed by the Etim Ekpo Area Command on the incident.

    “Somebody called me from that axis of the state that a staff of INEC has been kidnapped, but as I speak I can’t confirm that information because I have not been officially briefed by the Etim Ekpo Area Command,” he said.

    It could be recalled that there have been series of killings and abductions in the area, the recent being the kidnap of two female students of Obong University, a private varsity in the area.

  • Collect your PVCs from INEC – Ambode

    Collect your PVCs from INEC – Ambode

    …Urges APC members to remain loyal to party ideals

    Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode on Friday urged residents to approach the offices of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) across the State for their Permanent Voters Cards (PVCs) to enable them participate in future elections.

    Ambode, who spoke at the All Progressives Congress (APC) party secretariat in Lagos during a meeting with Local Government and Ward Chairmen of the party, said it was important for residents of the State who are yet to collect their PVCs to approach the electoral body, as the process of distribution of the cards has begun in earnest.

    The Governor said available information at his disposal was to the effect that a lot of people were not aware of the ongoing exercise by INEC, and as such, people must be made to be aware and take the distribution seriously.

    It would be recalled that the electoral commission, few days ago, began distribution of PVCs in Lagos with a call on registered voters to come with their temporary cards for the collection of the PVCs between 8am and 4pm from Monday to Friday.

    The Governor said: “There is an INEC exercise going on now in which they are distributing voters’ card to those who are yet to collect. Many people are not even aware of the development and I like to use this medium to appeal to our party members to go and collect their PVCs.

    “I want to encourage all of us that we should now take the exercise seriously because that is the beginning of the framework of the elections yet to come. This is an appeal both to our members who are here and those who are not here.

    “The APC, as from Monday, will also start massive mobilization and sensitization of the public towards the exercise,” Ambode said.

    The Governor equally thanked members of the party for supporting his administration so far, adding that the support had contributed to the huge successes recorded in the last fourteen months since he assumed office.

    Ambode, who specifically appreciated the APC National Leader, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu and all the party leaders for their support, however urged party faithful to remain committed and loyal to the ideals of the party, as well as the leadership of the party.

    “Once again, I want to thank all party leaders and members. I have said it before that we must follow our leaders and I am saying it again. We need to support and abide by whatever directive or direction our National Leader is asking us to go,” the Governor said.

    On his part, Tinubu corroborated the plea of the Governor asking members to collect their PVCs, saying that the people must indeed give the ongoing exercise by INEC the necessary seriousness it deserves.

    Besides, Tinubu commended Governor Ambode for his laudable achievements in office just within fourteen months, adding that the Governor has made him very proud.

    He also commended the Deputy Governor, Dr Idiat Oluranti Adebule and the entire team of the State Government for supporting the Governor to achieve so much within a little time.

    He added: “I was with Mr President, President Muhammadu Buhari for about two hours yesterday and Governor Ambode was not there when we were discussing generally about the problem of Nigeria. The Vice President, Professor Yemi Osinbajo got up and spoke glowingly of the Governor and my head was swelling. I became even more proud of him.”

    Among those present at the meeting include Lagos State Deputy Governor, Dr. (Mrs.) Oluranti Adebule; Chairman, APC Lagos State, Otunba Henry Ajomale; former Lagos State Deputy Governor, Prince Abiodun Ogunleye; Party Chieftain, Prince Tajudeen Olusi; Senator representing Lagos East at the Upper Legislative Chamber, Gbenga Ashafa; Southwest APC Women Leader, Chief Mrs Kemi Nelson; Deputy Speaker, Lagos State House of Assembly, Wasiu Sanni Eshinlokun, among others.

     

  • 1,390 Ad hoc staff for Kogi East senate re-run

    1,390 Ad hoc staff for Kogi East senate re-run

    The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has said that 1,390 ad-hoc staff will be engaged for the July 23, 2016 Kogi East senatorial re-run.

    The Kogi State Resident Electoral Commissioner, Mr. Samuel Usman disclosed this Monday in Lokoja while briefing newsmen on preparation for the rerun.

    He listed the local government areas where the re-run will take place to include Ankpa, Bassa, Dekina, Ibaji and Idah.

    Others areas listed are Igalamela/Odolu, Ofu and Olamaboro LGs.

    He added that the state constituency re-run election will be conducted in one polling unit (PU 003- Idah) out of 89, while election will be conducted in 79 polling units out of 129, in Ofu LG.

    He said lessons learnt from previous exercises will be used in raising the bar during re-run, just as he called for mass participation in the electoral process, adding that the commission was poised to meeting the global best practices.

    He warned those with no permanent voters cards (PVCs) to stay clear of the polling centres, saying anybody who has no business with the process should steer clear.

    “Security agencies have collectively vowed to secure the election and would deal decisively with hoodlums who would want to disrupt the process,” he added.