April 4, 2018

National Chairman, National Unity Party (NUP), Chief Perry Opara, has advised Nigerians yet to register or collect Permanent Voter Card (PVC) to do so and avoid disenfranchisement in 2019 elections.

Opera told News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Wednesday in Abuja that the power of the electorate was in their vote, and could only be used through possession of the PVC.

He urged the people to use the opportunity provided by ongoing nationwide Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) to register on time to avoid “last minute rush’’.

The chairman said he was aware that people were facing some challenges in collecting their PVCs, as some had lost their Temporary Voter Card (TVC).

He advised those who had lost their TVC and whose original centres for registration had been dismantled to go to INEC for guide on the procedures for getting the PVC.

“I want to advise Nigerians to find time to collect their PVCs because that is their power to choose their leaders.

“Many years back, I led a team of West African Election Monitoring Team to Ghana and I saw people, including drivers, greeting with their thumbs.

“I was curious to know what it was all about; they said that was their power to vote people in or out of power.

“Nigerians should agree that this thumb is their power and this power is through the PVC. People should register and have their PVCs.’’

Opara expressed optimism that 2019 general elections would spring surprises going by the level of awareness among stakeholders in the country.

“I have listened to some religious leaders in mosque and churches preaching and telling people to go and register and get their PVCs.

“The general elections of 2015 was a shock to Nigerians because of the defeat of an incumbent; 2019 too, is going to be sweet because we are going to see something different,’’ he said.