A socio-political organisation in Rivers State, Rivers Equity Group, has taken its voter registration campaign to The Rivers State University (RSU) with an appeal to students to participate massively in the on-going voter registration exercise.
National Coordinator of the group, Deacon Clapton Ogolo, said the campaign was in line with the group’s philosophy of reaching the unreached.
He said the group believes that every segment of the society should be sensitized to participate in the on-going voter registration exercise to enable them vote during election.
Ogolo said Equity Eroup is taking the campaign to schools because of its high population density.
According to him, the group will also reach out to all the nooks and crannies of the society, advising all to go out and register for their permanent voters cards.
Meanwhile, an elder statesman in the state, Sir Emeka Ichoku, has called on those who obtained their permanent voters cards between 2011 and 2012 not to entertain any fear as their cards will not expire.
Sir Ichoku said this in his keynote address tilted “Need To Obtain Voters Cards And Abstain from Violence” at the event, which was held at the university’s Amphitheater.
He said since 70 percent of eligible voters are made up of the youths, it beholves on them to go out and get registered to enable them elect leaders of their choice and enthrone good governance in the country.
The elder statesman also urged them to vote a government that will improve their conditions, saying they should abstain from violence during elections because the new Electoral Act has made adequate provisions for punishment for those who indulge in violence during election.
Ichoku said the sensitization campaign was in line with the directive by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to organizations to assist in mobilizing people to participate in the voters registration exercise.
According to him, voters’ registration also helps the government to know the population of each community with the view to planning for social amenities.
The elder statesman also urged the students to get involved in politics as it will enable them to decide who rules them.
He commended the Students Union Government of the university for its effort in bringing voter registration center to the institution.
Speaking with The Tide, the President, Student Union Government (SUG), Rivers State University, Comrade Omano Kelechi, said the students are determined to take their destinies in their hands this time around.
He said the event will help students to get their permanent voters card with the view to voting for candidates of their choice during the forthcoming election.
Kelechi commended The Rivers Equity Group for the lecture, adding that it has helped students to know more about the new Electoral Act.

By: John Bibor