You are Buying PVC, You are wasting your time, INEC tells Politician

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has declared that anyone buying Permanent Voter's Cards (PVCs) ahead of the 2023 general elections is waisting his or her time, energy and resources. 

National Commissioner of INEC in charge of Voters Education and Publicity, Mr. Festus Okoye made this declaration at a one day training for journalists organised by Nigeria Union of Journalists in collaboration with INEC in Ibadan, the Oyo state capital. 

At the training were NUJ President, Chris Isiguzo who was represented by NUJ National Trustee in charge of Zone F, Abimbola Oyetunji, NUJ National Trustee in charge of Zone B, Mr. Adebayo Akamo, NUJ Zone B Vice President, Mrs. Ronke Afebioye Samo, NUJ Chairman in Oyo state, Ademola Babalola and INEC Administrative Secretary in Oyo state, Alhaji Abiodun Onikate-Amosu among others. 

Okoye who was represented by the Deputy Director in charge of gender department, Mrs. Ndidi Okafor, while addressing the gathering said that the only reason why many people will not vote during the elections is identity theft. 

Okoye while speaking at the training that centred on conflict sensitive reporting and 2023 general election, insisted that anyone buying PVCs is embarking on futility efforts. 

He said that journalists play critical role in deepling democracy, hence the training became imperative at the time Nigeria is approaching another general elections. 

"Anyone buying PVCs is embarking on effort in futility. It is an effort in futility. 

"It is not possible to snatch ballot boxes and ballot papers again. It is because of technology. The only reason why some people will not vote is identity theft. What we are dealing with is the finger print and the face. 

"So, if your finger did not match, then your face must march. If your finger print did not match and your face did not match, then you cannot vote, that means you are not the owner of the PVC. That is identity theft. 

"Because media is a stakeholder, a critical stakeholder for that matter. So, I want to appeal to you the media, you are a stakeholder. 

"Let me say it again that the only reason why some people will not vote during the elections is identity theft. So, we enjoin you to be part of this education to sensitise the public. We need you to ensure accurate reportage".