Ishaku Yakubu speaking at NUJ Maiduguri on Sunday
As Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) dateline for collection of Permanent Voters’ Cards (PVCs) ends on Sunday, some aggrieved registered voters in Borno have raised alarm over thier inability to obtain thier cards.
Spokesman of the aggrieved persons who addressed the press in Maiduguri on Sunday, Mr Ishaku Yakubu, said for weeks they have been visiting INEC offices and distribution centres but in vain.
They urged INEC to do something about thier plight by extending the dateline or they might be compelled to seek redress in court.
“Some may wonder why we waited till now to raise this concern, we appreciate the obvious effort of INEC and have given them all the trust in hope that we would get our PVCs before the deadline but sadly, today is the official deadline for collection of PVCs.
“We have reasons to believe that there is a sinister plan to disenfranchise thousands of people as there appears to be no reason for holding up the PVCs.
“All of us here and many others who registered, transferred or requested for replacement of lost/damaged cards particularly last year (2022) between May and July have not been given their PVCs,” Yakubu said.
When contacted, the Borno Resident Electoral Commissioner, Mohammed Magaji said some of those who could not get thier cards might have registered twice.
Magaji said that he had visited collection centres in Maiduguri metropolis and Jere LGA where he advised those who could not trace thier cards to write thier names and complain to be fowarded to Abuja.
“We want to ensure that we exhausted all these cards. If you did not get your card, then write your name and complain and we submit it to Abuja,” Magaji said.
