Politics
2023: Former Community Chief Urges Anambra Youths To Secure Future, Collect PVC
Former President General, Nkwelle-Ezunaka Community, Oyi Local Government Area of Anambra State, Chief Chris Eluomunoh, has called on youths to secure their future through equipping themselves with their Permanent Voters Cards (PVCs).
Eluomunoh, also a member of the Igbo Apex Social-Cultural orgainsation, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, said this in an interview with newsmen on Tuesday in Awka.
He said that in 2019, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) had a total of 84,004,084 registered voters, while only 28,614,190 turned out to vote, which made way for President Muhammadu Buhari to win with 15,191,847 votes.
The community chief said that Nigeria is a political establishment that has grown to a level to engage its youths in the political map of the country, and to also allow them measure up with their peer groups to garner enough inspiration to lead the country.
He said that more than 48 million Nigerian youths of voting age are yet to have a voter’s card, and “these future leaders should be encouraged to go and obtain their PVCs if the country desires a political growth”.
Eluomunoh said that Nigeria needed a political movement that would astronomically turn the political story of Nigeria around to enthrone a youthful leadership which would promote Nigeria’s economic and social development.
“It is time for youths to wake up and take political leadership positions with their voters cards to make a much better place than what it currently offers the citizens.
“We need to enjoy safety of lives and properties, educational prowess, social and economic emancipation, all these would be achieved with the voters card,” he said.
He said that government changes would be achieved through the power of votes, and advised the youths to get their PVCs in order to vote for transformational leadership.
According to Eluomunoh, youths need to come together to have a formidable structure that would not consider ethnic, religious and political afflictions or barriers, but to build up on the structures that would bind all together.
“The days of political domains playing with the future of Nigerian youths are numbered if the youths take their civic duties right, get their cards and come out to vote to secure their future.
‘It is time for the youths to shift from their abode in the social media to real life, especially now that their votes can count and provide for themselves needed opportunity to create a progressive world around them,” he said.
The community chief urged the youths not only to get their PVCs, but to ensure active participation during the general elections.
Eluomunoh reminded the people that INEC had promised to register every Nigerian willing to vote, which implied that a new Nigeria was possible.
“Nigerians, 2023 elections give us time to walk our talk, give life to your prayers and produce the president, governor, senators House members of our dream. We now have the power in our votes,” he said.
Accordingg to the statement, the Board and National Executive Committee of PANDEF, noted with very grave concern the recent spate of political developments in Rivers State.
“Regrettably, these developments have now degenerated into the decision of the Rivers State House of Assembly to commence impeachment proceedings against the governor and deputy governor.
“This is a deeply disturbing situation that demands urgent attention in order to forestall further escalation and breakdown of law and order.
“This concern is heightened by the critical importance and strategic centrality of Rivers to the Niger Delta region and to the broader socio-political stability and economic wellbeing of Nigeria as a whole”, the statement said.
The Forum called on all parties involved in the resurgent political imbroglio to sheathe their swords and embrace peace.
“This should be guided by the principles of give-and-take, dialogue, tolerance, and political equanimity.
“All stakeholders must place paramount importance on peace, development and the welfare of the people of Rivers.
“We must now focus squarely on good governance and development of the state,” the Forum said.
PANDEF commended President Bola Tinubu, the leadership of the All Progressives Congress (APC), respected elders of Rivers State, and other well-meaning Nigerians for their previous and ongoing efforts aimed at restoring peace and stability in the state.
Speaking in an interview on Saturday, January 10, Chief Sara-Igbe alleged that the minister had flouted regulations governing the commencement of electioneering campaigns by moving from one local government area to another to galvanise political support.
According to him, the action amounted to a clear breach of electoral guidelines being carried out with a troubling sense of impunity that could undermine the rule of law.
“Wike has violated the electoral laws of campaigning by going from local government to local government to talk to the people. He travelled from one local government to another. As a result of his visits to local government areas, he has broken election regulations and continues to do all these things without fear of repercussions”, Chief Sara-Igbe said.
The remarks came as Chief Wike was set to round off a state-wide “thank-you” tour that covered all 23 local government areas of Rivers State.
Although the minister had described the tour as an appreciation visit following support for President Bola Tinubu in the 2023 general elections, critics say the engagements have assumed an overtly political character.
Observers note that during several stops, including recent visits to Andoni and Bonny local government areas, the minister rallied supporters across party lines under what he termed a “Rainbow Coalition,” a move widely interpreted as part of a broader political strategy.
During these engagements, Chief Wike was also reported to have made remarks perceived as a veiled challenge to the authority of Governor Siminalayi Fubara, while repeatedly referencing the 2027 elections and urging supporters to prepare to “correct the mistake” of 2023.
Chief Sara-Igbe warned that allowing such activities to continue unchecked could erode public confidence in Nigeria’s electoral process and called on relevant authorities to enforce existing laws without fear or favour.
The Commission, in a statement on Wednesday, claimed that there were plans by the same group to escalate a smear campaign against its Chairman, Ola Olukoyede, to frustrate ongoing investigations and prosecutions involving prominent individuals.
The statement endorsed by the agency’s spokesman, Mr Dele Oyewale, claimed that the action was intended to distract the Commission through unfounded allegations of political bias in the discharge of its duties.
The EFCC warned that it would not stand by and watch “those recruited into this ignoble enterprise” or allow any attempt to derail it from “the patriotic task of improving public accountability in Nigeria.”
The Commission made it clear that those recruited into this venture were under close watch, adding that it would not tolerate any attempt to distract it from the patriotic task of improving public accountability in Nigeria.
“The EFCC reiterates its non-political stance in all its activities. Facts on the ground clearly show that any political actor belonging to the ruling party or opposition party, with corruption baggage, has no hiding place from the operational radar and dynamics of the Commission.
“As a matter of fact, several strong members of the ruling and opposition parties are either facing trial before the courts or being investigated by the Commission.
“It is needful that Nigerians appreciate the fact that the Commission is keeping faith with its Establishment Act in all its operations.
“Therefore, the Commission reiterates its commitment to justice, without fear or favour, in the fulfilment of its mandate,” the statement pointed out.
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