Politics
PVC Distribution: Lawmaker Doubts INEC’s Readiness
A Federal lawmaker
representing Degema/Bonny Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, Hon. Sekonte Davies, has expressed reservation over challenges confronting the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on the issuance of Permanent Voters Card (PVC) to Rivers people.
Davies, who was fielding questions from newsmen at the Port Harcourt International Airport, Omagwa, said from all indications, INEC would not be able to address the challenges confronting the commission in the distribution of the PVCs.
According to the lawmaker, “ I don’t know if INEC will be able to address the challenges but let us give them the benefit of doubt. I know that this process was postponed from August to November 7, and now postponed again to ending of the month”.
He lamented the inconveniences caused Rivers people when they came up with seven local government areas and could not deliver any after people had travelled from far and near to collect the cards.
The lawmaker, however, remarked that the law allows that voters should have voter’s card at least 30 days to date of election, adding that Rivers State is among the last states in the distribution of PVCs, yet the electoral body did not learn from the past experiences.
On the delay in declaration of All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship aspirants, the lawmaker said it shows a more organised party, and people who follow laid down procedure but not desperate for power.
We want to show Nigerians that we are better party, for the first time in the history of Nigeria, presidential aspirants attend each others declaration with their supporters. We want to show Nigerians that politics is not a do or die thing,” Davies stated.
Meanwhile, the lawmaker representing Okrika/Ogu/Bolo Federal Constituency at the National Assembly, Hon. Gogo Bright, said despite the postponement, INEC still has some time since elections are in February next year to correct themselves.
Bright said, “we all came home for the PVC and the continuous registration but INEC failed on its part but if they fail to meet up we can use the temporary voters card, afterall it was used during the last election”.
He agreed with Davies that INEC should be given the benefit of doubt on the new date to conduct the exercise.
On the controversial delegates congress of the PDP, the federal lawmaker said it was peaceful and well organised, adding that INEC, PDP national headquarters approved of it and blamed the 16 governorship aspirants for boy-cotting the congress.
He described Chief Ezebunwo Nyeson Wike as a grassroot politician who had made tremendous impact on the political landscape of the state.
L-R: Members of the Rivers State House of Assembly, Hon Godstime Horsfall, Asari-Toru Constituency II; Hon Dr Innocent Barikor, Gokana Constituency, Hon Golden Chairman Etche Constituency I in session, recently.
Claiming that elections in the country are typically characterized by vote buying, Mr Nwosu said a repeat of such phenomenon would taint the credibility of the forthcoming gubernatorial poll.
Mr Nwosu is among the 16 governorship candidates listed by INEC in a June 4, 2025 statement to participate in the November 8, 2025 election in Anambra State.
His party, the ADC, will battle it out with other parties to unseat incumbent Governor Chukwuma Soludo of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA).
Mr Nwosu, in a statement on Saturday, said it was baffling seeing voters openly selling their votes to party agents and other representatives around polling units on election day.
According to him, “such practices not only derail the true will of the people but also reduce elections to an auction, where the state is effectively handed over to the highest bidder.”
Mr Nwosu urged INEC to introduce secure voting cubicles that would safeguard the legitimate rights of voters and uphold the sovereignty of democracy.
“INEC must provide secure voting cubicles to ensure ballots remain private and secret. Currently, many polling areas are too exposed, allowing others to see the voting process. This not only encourages vote buying but also undermines the integrity of the elections.
“Voting must remain secret. Nigeria already has strong electoral laws which, if properly enforced, can deliver outcomes that truly benefit society”, Mr Nwosu said.
He held that the Anambra governorship election was another opportunity for INEC to secure the trust of Nigerians about its commitment to transparency and fairness during polls.
He also noted the role of security agencies in tackling the menace of vote buying on the day of election.
He said, “The success of any political activity depends largely on security, because security is key. While it is not solely INEC’s duty to ensure elections are properly conducted, the Commission must create an enabling environment that allows citizens to participate freely, conduct themselves properly, and exercise their right to vote.”
The party, in a statement by its National Publicity Secretary, Obiora Ifoh, called on the relevant security agencies to investigate the attackers and their sponsors.
“The Labour Party is perplexed by the physical attack on our National Chairman, Barrister Julius Abure, by agents suspected to be working for anti-democratic elements who have tried unsuccessfully to wrestle the leadership of the party from him.
“Few hours ago, a prominent member of a known political family, Ms Precious Oruche, alias ‘Mama P’, accosted Barrister Abure while on a queue at the Nnamdi Azikiwe Airport Abuja, boarding a Max Air flight en route to Benin, and attacked the Labour Party’s National Chairman unprovoked.
“The attacker, Madam P, who is also a known content creator, continued the attack all through the duration of the flight, defying all attempts by the Max Air flight attendants to calm her.
“The assault, which attracted a large population of onlookers, continued unabated on disembarkment at the Benin Airport while she continued recording the scene.
“It took the intervention of the security agents on hand to whisk Abure to safety while the attacker was handed over to the police for questioning.
“In one of her films released, the lady, who is a prominent member of the ‘Obidient’ and claimed that she has contacts with the highest police hierarchy, boasted that nothing will happen to her.
“She vowed that she will not stop attacking Abure or any member of the Labour Party executive because, according to her, ‘you have killed Labour Party and you are the reason why Obi is no longer in the Labour Party.’
“The leadership of the Labour Party is completely troubled with this cyber-bullying and the consequences of the action of this political agent on the party. We are by this statement calling on the Inspector General of Police to thoroughly investigate this suicidal aggression against the leadership of the Labour Party and Barrister Julius Abure in particular.
“We sincerely believe that the lady-agent was on an assignment to accomplish the desires of her paymasters. Assault and cyber-bullying are severe crimes under our laws and we think that the Police must fish out her sponsors and cohorts, and bring them to book.
“We are calling on the members of the Labour Party to be calm, even in the face of this unwarranted provocation and wait for the outcome of the investigation on the unprovoked attack against the leadership of the party,” the statement read.
Speaking during the party’s congress in Yola, the state capital, on Saturday, Mr David Lorhenba, the chairman, Adamawa Congress Committee, described the exercise as hitch-free.
He said that a total of 2,656 delegates from 21 local government areas came out and elected 39 officials.
Mr Lorhenba commended the delegates for conducting themselves in an orderly manner.
“The conduct of the congress is very successful, all the delegates come from 21 Local Government Areas and cast their votes peacefully.
“We have a total of 2,656 delegates and we have announced the winners very successfully”, he said.
In his remarks, Alhaji Attahiru Shehu, the outgoing chairman, congratulated the new executives and charged them to continue on what they have already done for the party to remain strong.
According to him, they started as opposition in the state and produced Gov. Ahmadu Fintiri who is serving his second term, opining they “he has done well for the state.”
In his acceptance speech, Mr Madagali thanked the delegates for the confidence they reposed in him.
He promised to run an open door policy in manning the affairs of the party.
“Let us continue the legacy of good governance and prepare ahead for 2027 with focus, discipline and unity.
“To those outside our party, especially the youths and women of Adamawa, we invite you into our party.
“PDP is your home. Our doors are open to all who wish to contribute positively to the development of our state.
“Our party will continue to be a shining example of people-focused on leadership,” he said.
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