The Independent National Electoral
Commission has extended the deadline for collection of Permanent Voter
Cards to Sunday, February 8, 2015.
This new date is contained in a
statement on Sunday by the Chief Press Secretary to the national
chairman of the commission, Kayode Idowu.
Idowu, who explained that the new date supersedes the earlier deadline of Saturday, January, 31, also disclosed to The PUNCH that INEC had received the last batch of 3.4 million PVCs.
He
said in the statement that the extension was intended to give those who
had yet to collect their PVCs the opportunity to do so.
Idowu, who stressed that the commission
was ready for the polls, enjoined all registered persons to ensure
that they collected their cards on or before February 8.
“The commission reaffirms its
determination to make the 2015 elections free, fair, credible and
peaceful; and urges all stakeholders, including voters, to spare no
effort in working towards the same objective,” he said.
He told The PUNCH that INEC
had taken delivery of the 68.8 million PVCS and that the last batch of
3.4 million cards had been sent to all the 36 states and the
Federal Capital Territory for distribution to all registered voters.
Idowu said, “We have taken delivery of
all the PVCs, which is 68.8 million and they have been sent to all the
states for distribution to the voters.
“The last batch of 3.4 million PVCs have been sent to the field for distribution to the registered voters.”
The All Progressives Congress and the Labour Party has hailed the commission for extending the PVC collection deadline.
“The action is commendable. It is a sign
that the commission is a listening body and it is ready to conduct free
and fair elections,” its National Publicity Secretary, Lai Mohammed,
told one of our correspondents.
The party however asked the Federal
Government to help the commission by declaring a two-day public holiday
to enable voters pick up their PVCs.
The party said states under its
control had agreed to declare public holidays this week, but said each
state governor would pick the dates they prefer.
The APC caucus in the House of
Representatives also welcomed the decision but wondered why INEC allowed
itself to be put under pressure before extending the PVC collection
deadline.
“The voice and resolution of the House
helped tremendously in putting pressure on INEC on the absolute need to
give people the opportunity to vote and not to be disenfranchised,” its
leader, Femi Gbajabiamila.
The caucus however admitted that “the
extension and assurances from INEC will go a long way “ in making the
elections hitch-free.
In passing the January 13 resolution, the House had noted that INEC was slow in the distribution of the PVCs.
The House observed that it was unlikely that the commission would give every registered voter a card before February 14.
Gbajabiamila was the one who moved the motion leading to the House resolution.
Part of the motion read, “INEC has been
and is still issuing permanent voter cards to eligible voters in
replacement of the temporary voter cards issued to Nigerians about four
years ago.
“Concerned that the general elections
being just four weeks or 31 days from now, it is very unlikely that the
commission will be able to distribute the PVCs to all registered and
eligible voters before the elections.
“Disturbed that if the current position
of the commission (that only voters with the PVCs are qualified to vote)
is not addressed, many registered and eligible voters will be
disenfranchised in the 2015 general elections to the detriment of the
growth of democracy in Nigeria.
“The House resolves that the commission
should include in its election guidelines for the 2015 general elections
a provision(s) allowing registered voters with the temporary voter card
(TVCs) whose names are on record to vote during the 2015 general
elections.”
Also, the LP applauded the commission for the extension, but wondered whether the one week extension would be enough.
In order to ease the distribution of the cards, it asked the commission to employ Ad hoc staff to handle the exercise.
INEC extends PVC collection to Feb 8
February 2, 2015 by John Ameh and Olusola Fabiyi 11 Comments
The Independent National Electoral
Commission has extended the deadline for collection of Permanent Voter
Cards to Sunday, February 8, 2015.
This new date is contained in a
statement on Sunday by the Chief Press Secretary to the national
chairman of the commission, Kayode Idowu.
Idowu, who explained that the new date supersedes the earlier deadline of Saturday, January, 31, also disclosed to The PUNCH that INEC had received the last batch of 3.4 million PVCs.
He
said in the statement that the extension was intended to give those who
had yet to collect their PVCs the opportunity to do so.
Idowu, who stressed that the commission
was ready for the polls, enjoined all registered persons to ensure
that they collected their cards on or before February 8.
“The commission reaffirms its
determination to make the 2015 elections free, fair, credible and
peaceful; and urges all stakeholders, including voters, to spare no
effort in working towards the same objective,” he said.
He told The PUNCH that INEC
had taken delivery of the 68.8 million PVCS and that the last batch of
3.4 million cards had been sent to all the 36 states and the
Federal Capital Territory for distribution to all registered voters.
Idowu said, “We have taken delivery of
all the PVCs, which is 68.8 million and they have been sent to all the
states for distribution to the voters.
“The last batch of 3.4 million PVCs have been sent to the field for distribution to the registered voters.”
The All Progressives Congress and the Labour Party has hailed the commission for extending the PVC collection deadline.
“The action is commendable. It is a sign
that the commission is a listening body and it is ready to conduct free
and fair elections,” its National Publicity Secretary, Lai Mohammed,
told one of our correspondents.
The party however asked the Federal
Government to help the commission by declaring a two-day public holiday
to enable voters pick up their PVCs.
The party said states under its
control had agreed to declare public holidays this week, but said each
state governor would pick the dates they prefer.
The APC caucus in the House of
Representatives also welcomed the decision but wondered why INEC allowed
itself to be put under pressure before extending the PVC collection
deadline.
“The voice and resolution of the House
helped tremendously in putting pressure on INEC on the absolute need to
give people the opportunity to vote and not to be disenfranchised,” its
leader, Femi Gbajabiamila.
The caucus however admitted that “the
extension and assurances from INEC will go a long way “ in making the
elections hitch-free.
In passing the January 13 resolution, the House had noted that INEC was slow in the distribution of the PVCs.
The House observed that it was unlikely that the commission would give every registered voter a card before February 14.
Gbajabiamila was the one who moved the motion leading to the House resolution.
Part of the motion read, “INEC has been
and is still issuing permanent voter cards to eligible voters in
replacement of the temporary voter cards issued to Nigerians about four
years ago.
“Concerned that the general elections
being just four weeks or 31 days from now, it is very unlikely that the
commission will be able to distribute the PVCs to all registered and
eligible voters before the elections.
“Disturbed that if the current position
of the commission (that only voters with the PVCs are qualified to vote)
is not addressed, many registered and eligible voters will be
disenfranchised in the 2015 general elections to the detriment of the
growth of democracy in Nigeria.
“The House resolves that the commission
should include in its election guidelines for the 2015 general elections
a provision(s) allowing registered voters with the temporary voter card
(TVCs) whose names are on record to vote during the 2015 general
elections.”
Also, the LP applauded the commission for the extension, but wondered whether the one week extension would be enough.
In order to ease the distribution of the cards, it asked the commission to employ Ad hoc staff to handle the exercise.
Copyright PUNCH.All rights reserved. This material, and other digital content on
Rotimi Amaechi In His APC-Customised Reflective Sunglasses [See Photo]
Rivers State governor Rotimi Amaechi was for some minutes the cynosure of all eyes at the APC presidential rally in Lagos today when he danced to Davido’s Aye.
Asides his dance steps, his outfit also stood him out.
Amaechi was decked in the APC-customized agbada and ‘abeti aja’ cap, complemented with the APC-crested reflective sunglasses.
”SOLDIER WHO FIGH TO DEFEND THE PEOPLE OF NIGERIA, N PAY, GET SENTENCED TO DEATH… BUT A GROUP OF GUYZ WILL FIGHT AGAINST GOVT, GET AMNESTY”. he tweeted..
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STATE OF OPERATIONS IN THE NORTH-EAST AS OBSERVED BY SOME CONCERNED OFFICERS
1. We the concerned officers participating in the North East Operation Zaman Lafiya do resolve to write this letter for the following reasons:
a. To save our country Nigeria.
b. To stop the bloodshed of innocent officers, soldiers and civilians in the North East.
c. To appeal to the president of the United State of America Mr. Barrack Obama, United Nation Secretary General Mr. Banki Moon and other world leaders to as quickly as important to intervene and urge President Goodluck Jonathan to do the needful in addressing the issue of insurgency in Nigeria especially in the North East.
2. As members of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, it is our responsibility to defend our country Nigeria which we are ever ready to do so as the call arises.
But firstly, the civil authority has the first responsibility to equip us effectively to enable us to carry out such task.
This is common practice all over the world. As professional officers and soldiers, we did not want to go public with details of our frustrations concerning this operation because doing so will boast the moral[e] of our enemy.
But the persistent neglect of our plight made us to do otherwise.
3. It is well known fact that of recent, a commanding officer from this theater of operation wrote a letter to our President intimating him of a few out of numerous problems affecting us in this operation which we believe Mr. President will address.
It appears Mr. President has chosen to ignore it because none of his relations are among us. In this 21st century, how can an accused [be] a judge of his own case? That letter clearly exposed the rot within the military authorities concerning this operation.
This is because, the Army authority that was accused of poor administration in that letter, set up a kangaroo investigation that harass[ed], intimidate[d], and forced the officer to deny the authorship of the letter.
4. We authoritatively learned that, the Army authority succeeded in forcing the officer to deny the letter through the Provost Marshal (Army) who happen[ed] to be of the same tribe with the officer concern[ed].
For President Goodluck Jonathan to ignore such kind of allegation made us to believe the rumor going round that he has a hand or knowledge in the so-called Boko Haram.
We are also aware of how the funds meant for these operations are being looted through the office of the Chief of Training and Operations, Major General J.A.H. Ewansiha.
Despite our strong [belief] in democracy, we condemn a democratic government that condones corruption, especially in its military.
The President is reported to always turn a blind eye to issues of corruption. For instance, the ADC to Mr.President is presently one of the richest officers in the army.
He owns properties in choice places all over the country and even abroad. We are going to make public details of his wealth and assets at the appropriate time.
5. We are appealing to all well meaning Nigerians and leaders of International Community to please speak out with loud voice in [order] to make President Jonathan to constitute an independent high-powered committee to investigate the content of that letter written to him by the commanding officer.
Should this request be ignored, the resultant consequence could only be imagined.
6. We stand bold to state that we are speaking the minds of all the officers and soldiers in Operation Zaman Lafiya.
Concerned Officers and Soldiers of Operation Zaman Lafiya
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The Nigerian army has a new director of Public relations.
He is Col SK Usman. He takes over from Gen Olajide OLaleye who is on transfer to the 4th Brigade of the Nigeria Army in Benin, Edo state where he will serve as the Commander.
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STATE OF OPERATIONS IN THE NORTH-EAST AS OBSERVED BY SOME CONCERNED OFFICERS
1. We the concerned officers participating in the North East Operation Zaman Lafiya do resolve to write this letter for the following reasons:
a. To save our country Nigeria.
b. To stop the bloodshed of innocent officers, soldiers and civilians in the North East.
c. To appeal to the president of the United State of America Mr. Barrack Obama, United Nation Secretary General Mr. Banki Moon and other world leaders to as quickly as important to intervene and urge President Goodluck Jonathan to do the needful in addressing the issue of insurgency in Nigeria especially in the North East.
2. As members of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, it is our responsibility to defend our country Nigeria which we are ever ready to do so as the call arises.
But firstly, the civil authority has the first responsibility to equip us effectively to enable us to carry out such task.
This is common practice all over the world. As professional officers and soldiers, we did not want to go public with details of our frustrations concerning this operation because doing so will boast the moral[e] of our enemy.
But the persistent neglect of our plight made us to do otherwise.
3. It is well known fact that of recent, a commanding officer from this theater of operation wrote a letter to our President intimating him of a few out of numerous problems affecting us in this operation which we believe Mr. President will address.
It appears Mr. President has chosen to ignore it because none of his relations are among us. In this 21st century, how can an accused [be] a judge of his own case? That letter clearly exposed the rot within the military authorities concerning this operation.
This is because, the Army authority that was accused of poor administration in that letter, set up a kangaroo investigation that harass[ed], intimidate[d], and forced the officer to deny the authorship of the letter.
4. We authoritatively learned that, the Army authority succeeded in forcing the officer to deny the letter through the Provost Marshal (Army) who happen[ed] to be of the same tribe with the officer concern[ed].
For President Goodluck Jonathan to ignore such kind of allegation made us to believe the rumor going round that he has a hand or knowledge in the so-called Boko Haram.
We are also aware of how the funds meant for these operations are being looted through the office of the Chief of Training and Operations, Major General J.A.H. Ewansiha.
Despite our strong [belief] in democracy, we condemn a democratic government that condones corruption, especially in its military.
The President is reported to always turn a blind eye to issues of corruption. For instance, the ADC to Mr.President is presently one of the richest officers in the army.
He owns properties in choice places all over the country and even abroad. We are going to make public details of his wealth and assets at the appropriate time.
5. We are appealing to all well meaning Nigerians and leaders of International Community to please speak out with loud voice in [order] to make President Jonathan to constitute an independent high-powered committee to investigate the content of that letter written to him by the commanding officer.
Should this request be ignored, the resultant consequence could only be imagined.
6. We stand bold to state that we are speaking the minds of all the officers and soldiers in Operation Zaman Lafiya.
Concerned Officers and Soldiers of Operation Zaman Lafiya
- See more at: http://www.naijaloaded.com.ng/2015/01/31/open-letter-president-jonathan-army-officers/#sthash.16Tvyz2g.dpuf
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