Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Senator Lekan Balogun Alli Okunmade II, has lauded the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for extending the deadline for the collection of the Permanent Voter’s Cards (PVCs).
The Olubadan spoke while hosting the new Resident Electoral Commissioner in Oyo State, Dr. Rahmon Tella Adeniran, in his Alarere residence, today.
He said the one-week extension by the electoral body would allow more eligible Nigerians to vote in the February and March elections.
INEC had earlier given 22 January as the deadline for the collection of the PVCs which are said to still be in large numbers in the custody of the electoral body.
It, however, on Thursday, announced a week extension to 29 January, less than four weeks to the presidential election of 25 February, as the new deadline.
The traditional ruler however asked those Nigerians yet to collect their cards to take an advantage of the extension and get their PVCs.
Oba Balogun, in a press release by his Personal Assistant (Media), Oladele Ogunsola, said the decision to extend the collection of the PVCs by Nigerians of voting age was a welcomed development and in the interest of Nigerians.
He said: “I want to commend you people for the great job you are doing.
“Whoever witnessed ‘operation wet e’ of the First Republic and the horrendous reactions that trailed the 1983 general election, especially in this part of the country, would appreciate your activities in INEC since 1999 when this experience began.
“It is a known fact that each election since 1999 has always been an improvement over the previous one.
“I want to charge you to ensure thatbthe one being looked forward to in a couple of weeks’ time is also better than what we had in 2019.
“It is gratifying to note that Nigerians are coming to terms with the ideals of democracy. It beholves all of us stakeholders to ensure that we contribute into efforts to deepen the system.
“On our part in the traditional institution, I promise to reach out to all our people, through my members of the Advisory Council, the mogajis and baales, towards sensitising our people on the importance of the PVCs collection and usage when the time comes.
“I implore you too to do your bits and, with our combined efforts, Nigeria would surely come out better and greater after the elections.”
Speaking earlier, the new Oyo REC, Dr Tella, said it is the tradition of the INEC helmsmen to pay homage to the traditional fathers in their respective domains as soon as they are posted.
He said it was in keeping the tradition that he has decided to come to the palace.
The new Oyo REC added his upbringing as an Osogbo prince bestowed it upon him “to understand and appreciate the sacred positions our obas hold.”
He said the obas own the towns and the people which is why they are seen as part of the critical stakeholders in driving the cause of credible electoral process.
Dr. Adeniran used the occasion to enjoin the monarch to help reach out to his subjects in the state on the need to collect their PVCs.
He noting that “the essence of voter’s registration is defeated if the enabling material to cast votes on election day (PVC) is allowed to waste away in the custody of the electoral body”.
