From Taofeek Surdiq, Ado-Ekiti

Ekiti State Governor, Mr Biodun Oyebanji, has commended residents of the state for trooping out enmass for the collection of their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs).

The governor, who praised the people for adequately utilising the Tuesday, workfree day declared by his administration for prospective voters to collect their PVCs, said it was a clear sign that people of the state are now more conscious of their voting rights.

Oyebanji described citizens’ reluctance to exercise their franchise rights during elections, as a trend that must be tamed by stakeholders, saying it portends grave danger to electoral growth.

Governor Oyebanji noted that the public holiday declared by his government, on Tuesday, was a huge success, taking cognisance of the impressive turnout of intending voters scampering for PVCs, at the Independent National Electoral Commission’s offices across the state.

The Governor, represented by his Deputy, Mrs Monisade Afuye, said this, on Tuesday, while monitoring compliance with the directive of the state government for registrants to troop out and collect their PVCs.

The INEC local government headquarters visited included that of Ikere, Ado, Aramoko, and Ido Ekiti.

The governor, had while addressing the registrants, maintained that collection of PVCs, is one of the ways to strengthen the country’s electoral system, saying no nation experiencing voter apathy can grow and develop.

“Governor Oyebanji has demonstrated leadership by declaring today (Tuesday) a public holuday for you to collect your PVCs. It is good that you have come in large numbers. It is for your own benefit, but some don’t value it.

“We are moving round so that the purpose for which this holiday was declared will be met and we have no reason to regret with the population of registrants that we are seeing at all INEC offices that I have visited.

“You all know that voter apathy has always been a serious danger in the country’s elections. And it is an attempt for this government to tackle this problem that the Governor declared today as a public holiday for our people to collect their PVCs to participate in all elections.

“This year’s elections are very important to us in Ekiti and Southwest and poor interest to vote will not help our course. We also commend the staff of the Independent National Electoral commission for making themselves available for this exercise.

“You should not only collect this PVCs, come out on the day of elections and vote, this is the best way for you and I to build our nation”.

The INEC Electoral Officer, Ido/Osi Local Government , Mr. Chris Ogunmakinwa, applauded the state government for declaring public holiday for collection of PVCs.

Ogunmakinwa said the gesture has helped in increasing the number of PVCs seekers considering the large number of registrants that besieged the INEC office.