Politics
PVC Collection: Badagry Residents Commend INEC
Some residents of Badagry in Lagos State on Sunday commended the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) over the smooth collection of Permanent Voters Cards (PVCs) at different wards.
A correspondent who monitored the exercise in different collection centres, reports that the exercise went smoothly as cards were collected without stress.
A resident of Mowo who collected his card at Ward 03 in Ibereko, Mr Joseph Bamigbose, said the process of distributing PVCs was simple and hitch-free.
“This is the first time in the history of the country that I believe we are ready to conduct election.
“I came to this ward in Ibereko without any slip, approached officials of INEC that I wanted to collect my PVC.
“All they did was to ask for my name and where I registered, which I told them. And within five minutes, they brought out my PVC and asked me to sign,” Bamigbose said.
Mr Joseph Avoseh, a resident of Ajara Agamathen said residents were at Ajara Grammar School, Ward 10 and that they all collected their cards in less than one hour.
An official of INEC ,who pleaded anonymity, said the council chairmen and lawmakers in Badagry Area organised a sensitisation programme about the exercise and mobilised people to get their cards
“They have brought people here in different vehicles to collect their PVCs.
“Apart from that, some people went round the town with public address system ,calling people to go and collect their PVCs.
“Many residents have collected their cards from different wards and I am happy to tell you that we don’t have many here at the ward,” she said”.
At ward 01 in Badagry Grammar School, another INEC official,who also pleaded anonymity, said
residents turned out en masse within the last few days to collect their cards.
He expressed the optimism that more residents would come as INEC had extended the deadline by one week.
Mr David Aladeotan, Coordinator, National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN) Badagry-West Local Council Development Area,said the council organiséd a zoom meeting with Mr Kareem Akinloye, the Electoral Officer on the collection of cards.
He said Akinloye provided answers to some of the issues raised by residents.
“From the information gathered at the meeting, we observed there was need for continuous orientation of those in rural areas with no access to Internet and social media.
“We, therefore, embarked on a ward awareness campaign in order to inform them and to tell them things they need to know and do, to collect their cards.
“This has resulted in massive turn out of residents in Ward 05 in Apa and Ward 06 in Kankon,” he said.
Mr Sesi Whingah, the House of Representatives candidate of All Progressives Congress, in Badagry said he had intensified his sensitisation programme efforts across all wards through his team.
According to him, this has resulted to increase in the number of people that have collected their PVCs in Badagry.
“Personally, I have visited almost all the designated centres in the wards to ensure the INEC officials are up and doing, not depriving our people.
“Aside these, efforts are being made to ensure our supporters get theirs and I will continue to do more,” 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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