Igbo Coalition group wants INEC to extend voter registration exercise

The coalition made up of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Alaigbo Development Foundation (ADF), Aka Ikenga, Ndigbo Lagos, Nzuko Umunna, Otu Oka Iwu, Igbo Women Assembly, Market unions and the Association of South East Town Unions (ASETU), made the call at a press conference held at the Ohanaeze Ndigbo Secretariat, Surulere, Lagos on thursday.

Speaking on behalf of the group, General Secretary of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Lagos, Chief Everest Ozonweke explained that the coalition met on 24th May at Ikoyi and reviewed the ongoing INEC voter registration exercise, especially as it affects Igbo citizens registration and collection of voter cards.

He observed that the INEC has been rolling out  the exercise in phases of three months each and the present being the last before 2023 election.

Ozonweke expressed that changing of deadline for the pre registration aspect, bringing it back from 30th June to 30th May, 2022 by INEC about a month ago , does no benefit to Nigerians, but will rather encourage disenfranchisement.

He wondered why INEC should end the pre registration in almost one year before the election when many have not registered or yet to get their cards. “We wish to use this opportunity to inform the general public and INEC leadership in particular that millions of our people are having very serious challenges with collecting their voters. Some who registered as far back as 2010 have not collected their cards. We have seen WhatsApp videos/photos of burnt or thrown away stacks of PVCs bearing Igbo names, all suggesting non distribution of registered Igbo voter cards.

“This conference is a formal statement by leaders of the Igbo citizens of Nigerian for themselves and for other  Nigerians who these matters affect to call on the leadership of INEC to reconsider its planned ending of the voter registration exercise on the dates as previously stated. We want the exercise to continue till at least, 30th September, 2022.

“We are also calling on INEC to distribute cards of Igbo in all states of Nigeria in collaboration with Ohanaeze Ndigbo and Association of South East Town Unions’ local chapters in each state and local government areas in Nigeria.’

He insisted that since elections are critical to good governance, and majority of the electorates voting is critical to get a reasonable verdict of the actual will of the populace for any Democratic system, registering eligible members of the population to be able to vote, is also a critical part of promoting a healthy and fair Democratic system.”We believe that it is in INEC’s best interest that a larger percentage of the eligible Nigerian voting population register and collect their PVC before the election, so they can vote.”

The coalition spokesperson stated equivocally that if the above appeals and requests are ignored and the frustration and unnecessary challenges continue, the group shall left with no choice, but to seek legal remedy.

Moreover, Ozonweke appealed to all Nigerians of voting ages to make it a matter of critical national importance to ensure that they use the  ongoing INEC registration exercise to register or correct any issues they may have. ” We appeal to our youth to make themselves available to assist our uneducated or elderly people who may not know how to use the App to register, correct errors or to transfer their voter cards to help them do so.

We also call on markets/ traders unions to put in place modalities to help their members to register. Same appeal also goes to churches, town unions, family group leaders, clubs and others.

“Voting during elections is one of the most important Civic responsibilities of any citizen in a democracy. We as Nigerians have for a very long time endured the effects of being led by corrupt , incompetent and visionless leaders. Today, we can get involved and help choose good leaders for our country, so that our country and situation can change.”