The Benue State Governor Samuel Ortom in North Central Nigeria has called on the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC not to postpone this year’s general election on claims of insecurity as speculated.
He also appealed to the Commission to consider extending the deadline for the collection of Permanent Voters Cards, PVCs to enable all those who registered to obtain their cards to vote during the polls.
Governor Ortom made the call when he paid a visit to the new Resident Electoral Commissioner, REC, in charge of Benue State, Professor Sam Egwu at the INEC headquarters in Makurdi, the State Capital.
The Governor noted that the skepticism that has arisen following a statement, purported to have emanated from INEC about fears of insecurity ahead of 2023 should be discountenanced.
“Our prayer is that whatever happens let us go ahead and conduct the elections because Nigerians and Benue State people are eagerly waiting for it. Let us not create a situation where enemies of this country will take advantage. This election must be conducted,” he stressed.
“In my little way of suggesting and helping INEC and of course the Federal Government, if there are specific areas where insecurity is intense and there are problems, they should work towards shifting the elections not postponing the elections and when the other places are completed, they can go back and complete it and announce results.”
The Governor called on Benue people to collect their PVCs even as he appealed to INEC to extend the deadline for the exercise.
“I understand the leg of collecting Permanent Voters Cards, PVCs at the ward level is terminating on Sunday and then the other ones at the Local Government. I want to appeal if it is possible because this one is not about politics, it is not about partisanship, it is not about political parties, it is about everybody, but looking at what the result is for today, I want to appeal if that can be extended for one week.
“If it is possible, the Benue State Government will appreciate it so that everybody will have the right to collect his or her PVC. If it can be extended, that will be fine, but if not, we can still manage with the directive of INEC,” Ortom stated.
The Governor said the Benue people desire to ensure that the electoral umpire should ensure compliance with the rules of engagement to guarantee fair play, equity, justice and fairness for all.
The INEC Resident Electoral Commissioner, Professor Sam Egwu stated that although the collection of PVC at the ward level would end on Sunday, the process would continue at the Local Government level till a few days before the elections.
Professor Egwu however told Governor Ortom that his request for the extension would be forwarded to the Chairman of the Commission, pointing out that it was in the best interest of the Commission to give out all the PVCs.
He commended the Governor for ensuring a level playing field for all political parties in the state, noting that he has not heard any single incident of the opposition being denied the opportunity to reach out to their supporters.
The REC told the Governor that the Commission was working assiduously to ensure that people who have been displaced and were living in Internally Displaced Persons, IDPs camps across the state with their PVCs were allowed to participate in the elections.
Dominica Nwabufo
