A Civil Society Organization(CSO), Journalists For Open Government (JOGO), has decried the huge number of unclaimed Permanent Voters Cards(PVCs) across states in Nigeria with less than six weeks to the 2023 General Election.
In a release on Sunday, the founder and Executive Director, Comrade Yaqoub Popoola, said the huge figure of the unclaimed cards was an indictment on the youths who are craving for more space in politics and government.
Recall that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) hinted that about 7 million PVCs are still in its custody. ,
The statement read in parts, “In the words of late Martin Luther King Jr: ‘Democracy transformed from thin paper to thick action is the greatest form of government on earth.’
” It is very sad that Nigerian youths often discuss politicians issues more than their civic responsibility. If the youths deployed same energy as one they use in marketing their preferred candidates, Nigeria would have been a better place for all by now. It is high time issues concerning governance and election dominated discussions among the youths.
“It will not be out place for the various youths organisations to organise workshops and rallies on the subject matter.
” 2023 offers another golden opportunity for the youths to change the narrative of the long years of political marginalisation and leadership neglect. This can only be made possible through the ballot.
“I want to appeal to the youths to ensure that the discussions on social media centre around 2023 poll and the need to take informed decision.
” Let it be known that whoever fails to participate or exercise his or her franchise in the coming election lacks both moral and legal right to criticize the government for any wrong doing.This election deserves our attention and commitment more than ever before. If Democracy is about the voice of the majority,then the youths must have a say.
Popoola further said the good news is that INEC has extended the timeframe for collection of PVCs across the country by eight days.
The exercise, which was supposed to end on Sunday, January 22nd, has been extended till Sunday, January 29th, 2023.
JOGO is a coalition of journalists with special interest in Open Government Reporting while its founder is a seasoned journalist and media consultant with about three decades experience in active Journalism.
Popoola takes special interest in good governance and gender issues.
The platform promotes anti-corruption, citizens’ participation in government and free press while its priorities also include protecting reporters’ rights and deepening their knowledge in Open Contracting/Public Procurement.