The Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Joash Ojo Amupitan, has urged all Nigerians of voting age to obtain their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs), describing the card as a critical instrument for participation in the electoral process and accountability in governance.
Amupitan said possessing a PVC enables citizens to exercise their constitutional right to vote and participate meaningfully in choosing their leaders, stressed that citizens cannot effectively hold elected officials accountable without participating in the electoral process.
The INEC Chairman spoke as Special Guest of Honour at the turbaning ceremony of the National Secretary of the Commission, Chief Dr. Mrs. Rose Oriaran Anthony, as the first Gimbiya Rayan Kasan Minna, a traditional title conferred on her by the Emir of Minna, Dr. Umar Faruq Bahago, at his palace in Minna at the weekend.
He said the PVC remained one of the most important tools available to citizens in demanding accountability from political office holders, urging eligible Nigerians who were yet to register to visit designated registration centres and obtain their voter cards.
According to him, citizens who do not participate in the electoral process would have limited grounds to question the performance of leaders elected through that process.
“You cannot hold your elected officers or political leaders responsible for bad governance without being in possession of your Permanent Voter Card,” Amupitan said.
He added that Nigerians could not effectively question elected officials over the misuse of their mandate when they had not taken the necessary steps to participate in the electoral process.
The INEC Chairman further disclosed that the Commission would commence the issuance of new Permanent Voter Cards across the country from the following week, urging eligible Nigerians to visit the appropriate registration centres within their areas.
Amupitan also commended Mrs. Rose Oriaran Anthony, describing her as an astute administrator whose professional contributions to INEC had been significant.
He said the traditional title bestowed on her by the Emir of Minna was not a surprise to the INEC family, describing it as a reflection of her benevolence, commitment to public service and contributions to humanity.
The INEC Chairman said that since assuming office, he had worked closely with Anthony in her capacity as the Commission’s accounting officer and had found her to be a professional public servant of exceptional standard.
He commended the Emir of Minna for recognising her contributions and assured the monarch of Anthony’s continued support for the development of the Minna Emirate and its people.
Earlier, the Emir of Minna, Dr. Umar Faruq Bahago, described the newly installed Gimbiya Rayan Kasan Minna as a philanthropist whose kindness and support for less privileged members of society had distinguished her.
The monarch said the Emirate decided to honour her with the prestigious title in recognition of her contributions, noting that she had become the first holder of the Gimbiya Rayan Kasan Minna title in the history of the Emirate.
