President Goodluck Jonathan and Prof Attahiru Jega
Meanwhile, the House of Representatives Committee on Electoral Matters has invited the INEC and other stakeholders to deliberate on the country’s readiness to conduct 2015 general elections.
Jonathan spoke while swearing in a new National INEC Commissioner representing Oyo State, Prof. Akinola Murtala Salau, saying no Nigerian should be disenfranchised because of his/her inability to get the PVC.
The President said the level of interest shown by Nigerians from all walks of life in getting their PVC was an indication that confidence was being restored in the electoral process.
He said: “Nigerians are getting worried over whether INEC can actually conduct free and fair elections because of the (scarcity of the) PVC. Talking about the PVC, even some governors are complaining that they are yet to obtain their own. If governors are yet to get their voters cards, of course that means that so many Nigerians are yet to get theirs and people are a bit worried.
“But to me I am quite pleased, not pleased in the negative sense, but because of the awareness that has come; that Nigerians want to have their voters cards.
“Before 2011, no Nigerian complained about voters card and that is why when some politicians talk, I just laugh. Nobody cared.
“Some people came on board and sanitised the electoral process but others want to take the glory. We have to commend ourselves, that today ordinary Nigerians, businessmen, religious leaders are complaining. Nobody talked about that before 2011. So, people should commend us and I am pleased that people are talking about voters cards.
“The chairman of INEC luckily is here. All Nigerians must get their voters cards. We cannot conduct an election where some people will not have the right to vote. People must decide who rules them at all levels not just about presidential elections, at the lowest level of elections conducted by INEC.
“All Nigerians must vote and INEC must do everything possible to make sure that all Nigerians have their voters card because we cannot have a situation where some Nigerians will not vote that day.”
INEC should remain absolutely neutral
He then asked INEC to remain “absolutely neutral” to guarantee a credible election, adding that only people of impeccable character should work in the electoral body.
Jonathan stressed that only people of of impeccable character should work with INEC, adding that the choice of Professor Salau was because of his pedigree.
He said: “The INEC is supposed to be absolutely neutral in its work in order to conduct credible election because the whole world is watching INEC. You (Professor Salau) are coming into INEC at a very critical time with about 40 days to elections. So you are coming at a critical time and I believe that the chairman needs your services. I believe Prof. Jega would even want to double the number of staff if he has the resources, to make sure that they can cope.
Speaking with State House correspondents after the swearing-in, Professor Jega promised that “every registered Nigerian will get his PVC before the election, God willing.”
Reps c’ttee invites INEC, other stakeholders
“The purpose of this event is to underscore the current burning issues on 2015 general elections and to proffer necessary solutions,” the notice by the House Committee Chairman, Jerry Manwe stated yesterday.
The invitation notice was dated January 8 and signed by the acting committee clerk, Barr. Oscar Okoro.
Manwe said that the stakeholder would address: INEC’s level of preparedness for February’s general election as well as funding, security issues, franchise of internally displaced persons and other sundry issues arising from concerns by Nigerians.
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