Group mandates Nigerians to get their PVC

Emeka Ibemere

Barley 31 days to go into the March 28, election, a Group has tasked their members and other Nigerians, including the teeming supporters of President Goodluck Jonathan to do everything humanly possible to obtain their Permanent Voters’ Card, PVC,

According to INEC, Nigerians are asked to take their Temporary voters’ card SLIP (TVCS) to their registration centre to exchange it with Permanent Voters card (PVC).

Also, those up to 18 years in 2011 when the voters’ registration was done, have the opportunity to register in their locality or area of residence and collect their PVC.

INEC stated that those who have misplaced their Temporary Voters’ Card slip should proceed to court to swear an affidavit declaring it missing, then take the affidavit to their registration centre, and collect their permanent Voters’ Card (PVC). while, those who have relocated to a different location within or outside the state, and wants to  vote in 2015 would need to take their temporary voters’ card slip to where they initially registered for cancellation of name on the register and thereafter, proceed to registration centre in their new location or area for re-registration.

 It’s on these issues that the Group, under the aegis of Goodluck Good Governance Group (G4), met on Saturday 31 January, 2015, at Elomaz Hotel Maryland, Ikeja, Lagos State, during their crucial meeting-rally of all stakeholders and tasked the general populace on the need to obtain their PVC in order to vote in the election.  

It’s the Group’s own effort to sensitise and mobilize Nigerians on the importance for them to obtain their Permanent Voters’ Card (PVC), against the election.

Members of G4 who gathered at the event venue promised to obtain their PVC as they assured the convener of the Group of their total support for the President’s second term project.

The Group also tasked their members and other Nigerians to make the issue of the paramount and a necessity if they want to participate in the choice of who governs them in the coming election.

Speaking at the forum, Femi Ajayi, Executive Secretary, Petroleum Technology Development Fund (PTDF) and the Convener, Goodluck Good Governance Group (G4), the PVC is the power for them to make a difference in the election and asked them to obtain it arguing that without it, they have disenfranchised themselves to elect the leader they want.

According to him, the ex- National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA Director General and Secretary said as the Presidential Election Campaign rallies continue, that Nigerians would be doing the incumbent President great injustice if they urge the electorate to re-elect him based on sentiments. “While it is tempting to ask people to re-elect him because, he is an easy-going, likeable and humble gentleman or on the basis of his coming from a region that produces Nigeria’s black gold (oil revenue), this election should not be run on sentiments. Mr President should be judged strictly on his track record of achievements since he became the country’s leader,” Ajayi stated.

“Goodluck Jonathan has proved to be a role model for democracy and good governance since he became President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. His respect for and upholding of human rights and fundamental freedoms have been unprecedented among Nigerian’s heads of state. He has shown deference for the rule of law, respect for court judgements and facilitated free and fair elections”.

According to him, aside from intangible but crucial benefits of democracy, Ajayi is of the hope that the President had made giant strides in sustainable development as visible in regular and stable fuel supply, power sector reforms, and transport sector transformation, road construction and railway rehabilitation and agricultural revolution. “I want to draw the attention of what President Jonathan has done towards youth empowerment and employment since he assumed leadership,” PTDF boss explained.

“Through making Petroleum Technology Development Fund more functional, efficient and cost-effective, Mr President has been able to accelerate youth empowerment in the country”.

Ajayi called on all Nigerians to believe in the promises and the ‘good works’ of the president and vote massively for him in the next presidential election.

The Convener of the G4, Mr. Ajayi, passionately pleaded with Nigerians to vote ‘wisely for Jonathan.

Ajayi decried that some Nigerians tend to over look the “great success” recorded by President Jonathan’s administration adding that: “This administration has done more on our roads than any other government. Take a look at the Benin-Lagos road, what about the railway sector which has finally come back to life? The federal government has released billions of naira for the improvement of services and facilities in hospitals. This government has brought back the mother and child care service also. These are great work by Jonathan.”

“Power has been moved from public to private sector, the government needs to improve the quantity of power even as power supply has increase. Many Nigerians have testified that power supply has increased and power has improved.”                                    

However, Ajayi who urged PDP supporters sustain the drive to see the party through in the next election, and called on Nigerians to focus on what President Jonathan has done towards youth empowerment and employment since he assumed the presidency in year 2011.

Aside from increasing access of youths to tertiary education through establishment of nine full-fledged federal universities within 18 months, the president has been the brain behind the following:  Special skill acquisition and enhancement programmes such as helicopter and fixed-wing pilot training, trained many graduates in Advance Welding and Underwater Welding in Marseille, France, the first ever of such training carried out by Nigeria.

“The federal government has equally trained 1,700 graduates in Engineering Design programme, 15 graduates in Drilling Engineering in  France, as well as 1, 220 under the Welding Trading Certification Programme in collaboration with International Institute of Welding (IIW) in order to become certified welder qualified anywhere in the world.”

G4 also explained that in addition, President Jonathan’s power sector reforms, industrialisation drive, agriculture revolution and transport sector transformation are geared towards an enabling environment for job creation and generation of empowerment opportunities. From all indications, on the score of his youth empowerment schemes alone, the President deserves the votes of all progress-loving youths in Nigeria. Therefore, let’s sustain these developmental strides by voting en mass for him in the presidential election as well as other PDP candidates.”

Otunba Pemu Ajayi, National Chairman, G4 asked the members to make sure that they collected their PVC, sensitise and encourage other eligible citizens to obtain their PVC.

Other members of the Group who were at the event are Pastor Jemilehin, Alhaji Abdulnamed Owowunmi, Alhaji Rasak Yusuf, Hon. Eromesele, Pastor Joseph Idowu and Arc. Okuneye Samson Koyn.