IDRIS AHMED, LOKOJA
Kogi State Commissioner of Solid Minerals and Natural Resources, Engineer Muhammed Abubakar Bashir Gegu, has appealed to the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, to as a matter of necessity decentralise centres for collection of Permanent Voters Cards (PVC).
INEC has designated Local Government Areas headquarters as the collection centers of the Permanent Voters Cards, despite widespread complaints across the state, in view of distances from many Communities to their headquarters.
Reacting on Friday to the complain by the INEC Resident Electoral Commissioner in Kogi state, Dr Hale Gabriel Longpet, that over 179,000 PVCs are still unclaimed, Engineer Bashir Gegu, shifted the blame to the electoral body as many eligible voters, especially those from the rural areas would not be able to travel to the headquarters of their local government areas due to high cost of transportation.
He said that if INEC could register Voters at their respective polling units, it will be reasonable for the Commission to ensure that every registered voter collect their cards at the same place.
The Solid Minerals Commissioner, while commending the electoral body for its commitment to success of the 2023 election, especially the early preparation going on to ensure free fair and credible election,urged the electorate to cooperate by conducting themselves peacefully before, during and after the election.
Engineer Bashir Gegu also promised to organise sensitization committee in Kogi local government area in a bid to mobilize the people of the area towards collection of PVCs and peaceful conduct of the election.
He therefore urged the people of Kogi local government area, particularly the Youths and Women as well as the Stakeholders to ensure that all eligible voters collect their Permanent Voters Cards before the commencement of the 2023 election.
On the prospect of the APC in the state, the Commissioner noted emphatically that the Presidency, the 3 Senatorial Candidates, 9 House of Representatives and the 25 state House of Assembly seats will all be won by the ruling party.
He therefore call on supporters of the APC across the state not to relent and be steadfast in the course of campaigns, advising that all unfounded rumours and blackmail on any of their candidates be ignored.
