As various stakeholders in the political sphere of the country brace up for the forthcoming 2019 elections, the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), has decried the lack of commitment by Nigerians towards the collection of their Permanent Voters’ Cards (PVCs).
The Kogi State chapter of the association said it is worrisome that about eight million Nigerians are yet to collect their PVCs from many collection centres across Nigeria.
The state’s CAN Chairman, Bishop John Ibenu, said there is need for Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to step up sensitisation campaign and enlightenment for the people.
Ibenu said with the campaign, citizens will understand the need for them to collect their PVCs ahead of the 2019 elections.
He said: “We read in the dailies that about eight million PVCs have not been collected, largely 70 to 80 per cent of which is from the Middle Belt down to the South South.
“I remember that in the last elections, Borno State, where the Boko Haram insurgency was prevalent, the rate of collection of PVC was 89 per cent. We want you to do that magic for us; the magic that the insurgency did not stop them from collecting their voters’ cards.”
INEC had vowed to cancel elections in wards were violence are recorded.
The electoral body urged all citizens to abide by its regulations and stay away from violence during the elections in 2019.
INEC also said the commission was prepared for free and fair elections devoid of violence and intimidation and urged stakeholders to cooperate with the commission to achieve this objective.
