Group Tasks Community On Voters Registration

Igwenyi community in Ibaa, Emohua Local Government Area, has been urged to ensure that every adult of 18 years and above is duly registered at the on-going voters registration exercise, nationwide.

   Making the declaration at a town-hall meeting with elders, chiefs, youths, women and opinion leaders at Igwenyi-Hall, Sunday, the state coordinator, Jonathan/Sambo Vanguard (JSV),  Chief Sam Nnari emphasised that since democracy cannot work without thorough contest for free, fair and credible general elections, the need for every eligible voter to be registered and have his or her voters card has become very necessary at this time around. “Your vote is your power to choose credible leaders” he declared.

According to him, you can only equip yourself for the 2011 general elections with your voter’s card. He further explained that communities with high voting strength would easily attract government attention in Siting developmental projects and picking credible personalities for political appointments. He regretted that in recent times, Ibaa people have not thrown their weight in politics of the day and pleaded for a change of heart.

The state coordinator further explained that the sensitisation project embarked upon by JSV especially during  the on-going voters registration exercise has become urgent for the fact that government alone cannot do everything for the people.

He maintained that JSV as a  non-governmental organisation would continue to work for the success of Jonathan/Sambo presidential bid as well as Amaechi/Ikuru governorship mandate in Rivers State, expressing gratitude to PDP for the overwhelming support given to President Jonathan and Governor Amaechi during the last party primaries.

Earlier Elder Uche Elechi who was the chairman of the occasion had called on INEC to extend the registration exercise in order not to disenfranchise a very large population of Nigerians. He said that a good number of Nigerians are frinding it very terrible to get registered. He appealed for more DDC machines and personnel to be made available to Ibaa town since the nine registration centres are inadequate for an area thickly populated as Ibaa.

He regretted that those who were able to be registered were not given their voter’s cards for one reason or the other, making it more burdensome on the voters.