file photo: Jonathan pays courtesy visit to the Sultan
Millions of eligible voters in Nigeria are yet to get their Permanent Voter’s cards, (PVC), 25 days to the country’s crucial presidential election. One of such is the Sultan of Sokoto, His Eminence Sa’ad Abubakar III.
The monarch expressed fears that unless something is done urgently, millions would be disenfranchised as they are not able to collect their PVCs.
He made this comment in Sokoto when he received President Goodluck Jonatham in his palace. Jonathan was at the monarch’s palace to pay homage when his campaign train moved to Sokoto.
The Sultan urged the president to ensure that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) provides all eligible voters with their cards. He also enjoined asked that the government to try its best to deliver a free and fair election this year.
“Let’s respect people’s wishes, let’s not try to disenfranchise anybody. We have had issues of the Permanent Voter Cards (PVC) and I want to tell you that even myself, I don’t have a PVC, so it means I will not vote on 14th February.
“So, we have to look for a way out, it is for your government to now look for what to do, how to ensure that all the cards get to the voters before the voting day or in the alternative, find a way out because in any problem there is a solution and we believe you will find solution as regard this very serious hitch facing us because millions of Nigerians seem to be heading towards disenfranchisement and they won’t be able to vote but I have heard comments from the INEC Chairman, we are still waiting for our cards to come,” he said.
Support InfoStride News' Credible Journalism: Only credible journalism can guarantee a fair, accountable and transparent society, including democracy and government. It involves a lot of efforts and money. We need your support. Click here to Donate