Uproar in Oyo over non issuance of PVCs

With barely eight days to the commencement of the general elections, there are complaints in Oyo metropolis which have come to the notice of the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi, that there is a great possibility of disenfranchisement of thousands of eligible voters due to the non issuance of the Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) in Atiba, Oyo East and Oyo West local governments respectively in Oyo metropolis.
Unless something is urgently done by INEC Headquarters, thousands of eligible voters are sure to be disenfranchised for no fault of their own.
The Alaafin of Oyo is appealing to the Governor of Oyo State that he should use his good offices to ensure that people of Oyo metropolis are not disenfranchised.
The Alaafin lamented that during the registration, he personally provided computers, laptops and generators and fueling to assist INEC officials to the various registration centres.
The eligible voters in Oyo Metropolis will be greatly disenfranchised and that will affect the electoral value of Oyo people who have long been desirous of voting at the general elections but the non availability of PVC after they have been issued the temporary voters card which will not be usable at the polls.
It is, however, unfortunate that even Ayabas, palace aides, their families and a large number of eligible voters will be disenfranchised if the date of collection of PVC for the forthcoming election remains February 8.
Following uproar from eligible voters in Oyo metropolis who besieged the palace, the Alaafin Media Crew consequently visited INEC offices in Atiba, Oyo East, Oyo West local government to ascertain the veracity of the people’s complaints.
Though electoral officers of the three INEC offices could not be met as at press time, as they were set to be away on official assignments, other officials met declined comments, saying they were not competent to speak on the matter.
However, Oba Adeyemi has expressed strong indignation over the non issuance of PVCs to eligible voters, saying “it is a deliberate attempt at disenfranchising large number of voters in Oyo metropolis.”
 Oba Adeyemi called on INEC to, as a matter of utmost concern, extend the deadline for the collection of PVC’s by at least four days.
This, according to the Paramount Ruler, would not only afford large turnout of eligible voters in the metropolis to exercise their civic responsibilities during election periods, but it would give them a sense of belonging and dedication towards sustainable democratic governance.