President Goodluck Jonathan on Wednesday directed the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Attahiru Jega, to ensure all registered eligible Nigerians get their Permanent Voter’s Cards (PVCs) before the next month’s general election.
He gave the order while swearing in the new INEC Commissioner representing Oyo State, Prof. Akinola Murtala Salawu, at the Presidetial Villa, Abuja.
Jonathan said that it is unacceptable for any eligible Nigerian not to vote in next month’s election because of inability to get their PVCs.
He said: “I believe Prof. Jega will even want to double the number of staff if he has the resources to make sure that they can cope. Nigerians are getting worried if INEC can actually conduct the elections.
“Talking about the PVCs, even some governors are complaining that they are yet to get their PVCs. If governors are yet to get their voters cards of course that means that so many Nigerians are yet to get and people are a bit worried.”
“So the chairman of INEC luckily you are here, all Nigerians must get voters cards, we cannot conduct an election where some people will not have the rights to vote.”
“People must decide who rules them at all levels not just about presidential elections, at the lowest level of elections conducted by INEC, the state assembly elections, House of Representatives, Senate and Presidency. All Nigerians must vote and INEC must do everything possible to make sure that all Nigerians have their voters’ card because we cannot have a situation where some Nigerians will not vote that day. So Prof. Salau and Prof. Jega I wish you success.”
But Jonathan noted that the improvement in the electoral system under his tenure gave room for the complaints from various quarters.
