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Tag: PVC

  • 2019: Atiku’s Campaign writes open letter to alibaba.com over sales of PVCs online

    The presidential campaign organisation of former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar, has asked the owner of the online platform alibaba.com, Jack Ma, to permanently remove the cloned Permanent Voters Cards (PVCs) from its platform.

    The campaign noted that the sale of Nigerian PVCs on the online platform amounts to a breach of Nigeria’s electoral integrity and it’s national security. Atiku’s campaign organisation was reacting to a statement by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on the alarm it raised over attempts to clone Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) and to sell them online.

    The commission in a statement issued by its director, Voter Education and Publicity, Oluwole Osaze Uzzi, late Sunday evening said it is taking the matter seriously and will engage the government and security agencies as well as the promoters of the platform in order to get to the root of it.

    The letter from Atiku’s campaign office was dated July 2, and addressed to the owner of the online hub, Jack Ma. The letter written by the director general of Atiku Presidential Campaign Organisation and former governor of Ogun State, Gbenga Daniel, is entittled “A Matter of National Security and Electoral Integrity Involving alibaba.com.”

    The director general of the campaign said, “I write this open letter because my attention has been drawn to an egregious breach of Nigeria’s electoral integrity and thus our national security, by the sale of Nigerian Permanent Voter Cards, onalibaba.com.

    “We are very concerned about this security breach because it threatens Nigeria’s desire to build strong institutions, like the Independent National Electoral Commission.

    A situation like this could lead to massive vote buying and thus thwart our efforts and instead create strong men where we want to enable strength in institutions.

  • Ayade funds campaign for collection of PVC, wants paradigm shift

    Ayade funds campaign for collection of PVC, wants paradigm shift

    Cross River State Governor, Prof. Ben Ayade has called on residents of the state to ensure that they register and collect their Permanent Voter’s Card (PVC) before the 2019 elections.

    Ayade made the call when he received a set of his appointees under the aegis of Special Assistants Network (SAN), who are running an advocacy programme to encourage the collection of PVCs.

    In order to aid the group achieve effective mobilization, the governor announced the release of N9 million for the exercise across the 18 council areas of the state.

    Ayade who lamented the poor outlay of monthly revenue allocated to the state attributed the shortfall to record of over ten years population figure, saying that there was need to mobilize the populace to come out and get registered to reflect the current reality that will translate into economic terms.

    “This campaign is very important because it is not all about my re-election but for the sake of Cross River State that has been cheated over the years due to the non-challant attitude of the populace on issues as sensitive as voters registration and we must change the paradigm by ensuring everyone comes out and get registered and collect their PVCs,” he said.

    Continuing, he disclosed that “Cross River State is over 4.5 million in terms of population size, but records continue to place it at 2.3 million. What a falsehood? And we have been on this for the past ten years which is why I am supporting this campaign to change the paradigm because whatever figure you get also accounts for developmental indices from the Federal Government”.

    While thanking his aides for the initiative with a promise to provide them with the necessary logistics, Ayade further charged: “Please ensure that everybody of voting age is registered in your various wards not only for the 2019 election but to ensure that true adults population of the state will be reflected in any exercise carried out by any organization”.

    Leader of the group and Special Assistant on Peace and Reconciliation, Mr. Charles Ushie, stated that the essence of the network was to sensitize the citizenry on the need to equip themselves with the PVC ahead of the general election, adding that they will also ensure that those who were yet to register were encouraged to do so across the 196 wards of the 18 local government areas of the state.

    He thanked the governor for believing in their capacity to serve the state and promised to do their best to ensure that their people, especially those at the grassroots were fully mobilized for the exercise.

    According to him, this would be a token of their contribution to support the re-election of Governor Ayade, given his track record of performance, which he noted has resulted in transforming the socio-economic landscape of the state in the last three years.

     

  • Four million PVCs delivered to newly-registered voters – INEC

    The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) says it has taken delivery of four million Permanent Voters’ Cards (PVCs) for distribution to the electorate registered in 2017.

    The Chairman of INEC, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, disclosed this on Thursday at INEC Campus Outreach on “Youth Votes Count’’ at the University of Abuja.

    Yakubu said the PVCs would be delivered to states for onward distribution to the owners in the next few days.

    “For the four million voters who registered between April and December 2017, all the cards have been printed and will be delivered to the state this weekend.

    “So, by next week they will begin to collect their cards.

    “For those who registered in first quarter of 2018 and those being captured in the ongoing Continuous Voter Registration (CVR), I assure you that your cards will be available ahead of the 2019 general elections.’’

    He added that PVCs for newly-registered voters in Ekiti and Osun states would also be ready before the upcoming coming governorship elections in the states.

    Yakubu disclosed that INEC had so far registered about 8 million new voters in the CVR.

    “We have registered about 4 million Nigerians in 2017; in the first quarter of 2018 we registered about 2.9 million and in the four weeks of the second quarter, as at yesterday (Wednesday), we registered about 1.1 million more.

    “At the end of the exercise, we expect that about 11 million Nigerians will have been registered,’’ Yakubu said.

    He announced the creation of a registration centre at the University of Abuja campus and advised students and other residents close to the campus to make use of the centre by registering.
    Yusuf also advised them to endeavor to collect their PVCs and take active part in the 2019 elections, pledging that their votes would count.

    “When you collect your PVCs, please on Feb. 16 and March 2, 2019, make sure you go out to vote.

    “Let me give you an undertaking that in 2019 your votes will count, in 2019 only the votes cast by Nigerians will determine who wins,’’ he said.

    Yakubu said INEC was working towards ensuring that all Nigerians were carried along, including the People Living with Disability as it prepared for 2019 election.

    He said the commission would also provide magnified glasses for people with eyesight problem during the election as demonstrated in the recently conducted Anambra governorship poll.

    Also, the Vice-Chancellor of the university, Prof. Michael Adikwu, commended INEC for starting its sensitization campaign against violence for Nigerian students at the institution.

    Adikwu, represented by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Edward Nwana, said that INEC action underscored the important of youths as future leaders of the country.

    “What is happening today gives the youth a lot of hope for the country that we will have elections that will be credible and defensible in every part of the world.

    “I do hope that after today’s session, there will be no doubt that we will all play our roles in ensuring that our electoral processes are credible,’’ he said.

    The President of the University’s Students Union Government, stressed the need to carry the youth along in the electoral process.

    “It is a great thing for INEC to deem it fit to start the pioneer programme in UniAbuja.

    “You cannot take away youths from politics. Youths in politics, leadership and governance is something that must be taken with utmost value if Nigeria must attain greatness in future.

    “The step by INEC means that it believes in the youth, not only as the leaders of tomorrow but of today and we will lead ourselves into tomorrow.

    INEC ambassadors, Innocent 2baba Idibia, Helen Paul, Cobhams Asuquo , a multi-award wining musician/producer with visual challenge, as well as Yakubu and Obasanjo featured at the panel session.

    NAN

  • INEC releases timetable for Osun guber polls

    The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Osun has released the timetable for the conduct of the state’s Sept. 22 governorship election.

    Presenting the timetable to newsmen on Thursday in Osogbo, Mr Olusegun Agbaje, the newly appointed Osun Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) said election activities would commence on June 23 with the release of “Notice of Election’’ by INEC.

    Agbaje said political parties would commence public campaign on June 24 while candidates for elections and their parties would have the opportunities to obtain forms at INEC headquarters from June 25.

    The REC said that party primaries and resolution of disputes arising from the primaries would hold from June 24 to July 23.

    “The last day for withdrawal of candidate(s) and replacement of withdrawn candidate(s) by political parties would be August 8 while the last day for the submission of nomination forms would be August 22.

    “The last day of campaigns will be Sept. 20, while the election proper will hold on Sept. 22 as provided in section 178 (2) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended),’’ he said.

    Agbaje said that as parts of the commission’s roadmap for the election, Continuous Voter Registration (CRV) had been extended at the 332 wards in the state from April 11 to April 16.

    He said those who were newly captured would undergo Automatic Finger Identification System (AFIS) before their names would be ratified and added to the present list of registered voters in Osun.

    The REC reassured that the PVC for registered voters in the state would be distributed before the governorship election on Sept. 22.
    Agbaje said that 411,438 PVCs were yet to be collected in the state.

    NAN

  • 2019 polls: PFN urges Nigerians to shun divisive speeches

    The Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN) has urged Nigerians to shun divisive speeches which create tension among various ethnic and religious groups in the country.

    Deputy National President of PFN, Bishop Wale Oke, stated this at the Edo State Government House in Benin City, at the weekend on a courtesy call to Governor Godwin Obaseki.

    Bishop Oke said political and religious leaders, Nigerians in general must work towards promoting unity among the people.

    “We all as Nigerians should emphasise what unite us as a people rather than what will create lines of division amongst us,” he said.

    He noted that Nigeria as a country is stronger together, adding, “Political, religious leaders and other Nigerians must avoid politics of ethnicity and religion which are capable of dividing the country”.

    “Nigeria belongs to all of us and as such, we must make effort to build the country through collective efforts. Let’s emphasise what unites us, as one indivisible nation,” he further stated.

    The cleric urged Nigerians to hold leaders accountable by ensuring political office holders deliver on campaign promises such as security, education and other dividends of democracy.

    “Let our political leaders tell us in concrete terms what they are doing to protect lives, stop the killings, kidnappings and other issues confronting the country,” Bishop Oke said.

    He tasked political office holders to be more responsive to the people and urged those yet to obtain their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) to do so in order to participate in the forthcoming elections.

    Governor Obaseki tolled the same lines with the Bishop, saying, “We should always remember that we are our brothers’ keeper and must imbibe the teachings of our faiths on peaceful coexistence by shunning acts that divide rather than unite us as Nigerians”.

    The governor noted that the peace being experienced in the state could be attributed to prayers of religious leaders, adding, “I will continue to encourage spiritual leaders to always pray and work for the peaceful coexistence of all the people in the state and country”.

     

  • INEC may burn unclaimed PVCs – REC

    The new Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) in Ondo State, Rufus Akeju, says the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) is considering burning unclaimed Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) before the 2019 general elections.

    Akeju told newsmen on Monday in Akure that all attempts had been made by the commission through sensitisation campaign to reach out to the affected voters to collect their PVCs.

    He said the commission was making efforts almost on daily basis for voters to get their PVCs, adding that the commission may be compelled to resort to the burning of the cards or destroying them to check being used to manipulate elections.

    The REC said that the burning process would be made public for all Nigerians to witness.

    Akeju said that a total number of 1,659,186 are eligible voters and 1,288,722 cards had been distributed so far, adding that 370,464 are unclaimed.

    He also said the commission was doing everything possible to ensure a credible election that would meet with global best practices.

    “We now have new and improve data capturing for moderate and effective capturing.

    “We have introduced additional card readers in case one is malfunctioning in a particular unit,’’ he said.

    The REC solicited the support of all journalists in the state, saying they remain major stakeholders in educating the general public.

    He, however, urged journalists to report accurate stories they gather from INEC offices in the state without bias.

    The Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) in the state, James Sowole, promised that the union would continue to support the commission in its activities.

  • 2019: ‘Churches now aware there is religion in politics – Demola Olarewaju

    2019: ‘Churches now aware there is religion in politics – Demola Olarewaju

    By Demola Olanrewaju

    “In the build-up to the 2015 elections, many clerics in parts of the country openly asked their followers to vote against the PDP as it’s candidate was an “infidel”.

    Churches have now woken up to the reality of religion in politics and demanding their members get PVCs and vote.

    Maybe this is something that can be tapped into to stir voters out of electoral apathy.

    Whatever it is, people now realise that there is religion in politics, ethnicity in politics, even gender issues in politics – and yes, they are all real and valid issues.

    I’ve seen people (political neophytes mostly) say “these and these tactics” were what got GEJ voted out of power and since PDP can’t replicate it, no hope.

    But I remind myself of a lesson I learnt in one joint like that:

    There is always more than one way to kill a catfish.

  • 20,000 PVCs unclaimed in Delta – INEC

    20,000 PVCs unclaimed in Delta – INEC

    The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on Monday said 20,000 Permanent Voters Cards (PVCs) were yet to be collected by registered voters in Delta.

    Administrative Secretary of the commission in the state, Mrs Rose Orianran-Anthony, made this known when she visited the Ovie of Uvwie Kingdom, Emmanuel Sideso, in his palace in Effurun.

    Orianran-Anthony expressed dismay that the PVCs lay at INEC office, with no effort by the voters to collect them.

    She said that the commission did not have an office in the local government are which exposed its staff and materials to violence during elections.

    The administrative secretary, therefore, appealed to the monarch to provide the commission with a piece of land for the building of an office.

    She also appealed to the monarch to encourage registered voters among his subjects to go and collect their voter cards.

    Receiving the INEC scribe, Sideso appealed to the commission to provide a centre in the area for collection of PVCs.

    Sideso regretted a situation where registered voters spent long hours to collect the PVCs, describing the situation as “frustrating’’.

    He promised to look into the issue of land and other facilities for the commission to enhance its job.

     

  • Buhari swears in 6 INEC Commissioners

    Buhari swears in 6 INEC Commissioners

    President Muhammadu Buhari on Wednesday swore in six Commissioners of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and expressed concern over the integrity of the nation’s electoral processes.

    The president charged the commissioners to be firm and fair in the discharge of their duties, urging them to help consolidate the integrity of the electoral body

    “This administration is extremely concerned with the integrity of the electoral processes. You are people of great integrity, renowned throughout the country. This administration will depend on you to be firm and fair.

    “What this administration expects after we have gone, Nigerians will read the political history and know that we served Nigeria.

    “Woo Nigerians to use Permanent Voters Card (PVC), cross checked by card reader, that they have been given the opportunity,” he said.

    The president, who frowned at the way bye-elections were conducted in some states of the federation, said government would continue to ensure violent-free elections in the country.

    He congratulated the commissioners for their new appointments.

    Responding on behalf of the commissioners, Mr Okechukwu Ibeano, pledged that they would discharge their duties diligently.

    He also thanked the president and Nigerians for giving them the opportunity to serve the nation.

    “On behalf of my five colleagues, I thank the President and Nigerians for giving us this special and challenging opportunity to serve this country.

    “We pledge to discharge our duties, responsibilities and functions as contained in the oath of allegiance and oath of office which we have just sworn to.

    “We seek the support and prayers of the government and people of Nigeria so that we can discharge our functions to the best of our abilities and contribute to improve the advances and achievements that have been recorded in our electoral processes so far.

    The six INEC commissioners sworn in by the President are Okechukwu Obinna Ibeanu (Anambra), May I. Agbamuche-Mbu (Delta) and retired AVM Ahmed Mu’Azu from Gombe state.

    Others are Mohammed Kudu Haruna (Niger), Mr Adekunle Ogunmola (Oyo) and Abubakar Nahuche from Zamfara.