THE Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Bauchi State Chapter, has raised an alarm that over 40 per cent of Christians in the state are yet to collect their Permanent Voters’ Cards (PVCs).
The state CAN Chairman, Rev. Ray Maina, who stated this Wednesday while addressing newsmen in Bauchi, expressed worry that these people may be disfranchised if INEC conducts elections without given them their PVCs to enable them vote as citizens of the country.
He said: “We are worried that 40 per cent of our members are yet to collect their PVCs and they were duly registered by INEC.
“We have received complaints from our people from Ganjuwa, Dass, Bogoro Tafawa Balewa, even my wife is yet to receive her PVC and she was duly registered by INEC. So, we call on INEC to ensure that every registered voter receives his or her PVC before election date.
“We believe that shifting of the elections is appropriate, even though that government should be responsible and stand by its word but certain things should be put in place before the election and that is the issue of PVC. We believe the shifting of the election will enable INEC finish the task of the distribution of PVC so that the people will have right to cast their votes.”
The CAN chairman thereby called on security agents and government at all levels to provide adequate security before, during and after elections to ensure safety of life and property irrespective of religion, region and ethnic affiliations.
In another development, a youth group in Bauchi, known as Wunti Youths Liberty Development Association (WYLDA), has expressed optimism that the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) would capture the state without campaign because of the giant strides recorded by Governor Isa Yuguda’s administration in the last seven years.
The Chairman of the association, Alhaji Mustapha Abba, who stated this in Bauchi, said all PDP candidates in the state should not disturb themselves going out for campaigns as the governor’s giant strides had already laid the foundation upon which their aspirations of occupying various elective positions would be realised in the forthcoming general elections.
Rev. Maina, who called on all candidates, both Christians and Moslems, not to play dirty politics that will cause violence in the country, enjoined the people to vote for leaders of their choice without any fear, adding that CAN has not endorsed any candidate based on religion or region.
Source: Guardian
