Recent reports that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has delivered 66 per of permanent voters cards in the North West, far higher than other geo-political zones, is a dangerous signal for the 2019 general elections, three-time member of House of Representatives, Beni Lar, has warned.
Consequently, Lar, chairperson of the House of Representatives Committee on Science and Technology, therefore advised INEC to sit up because every part of the country should have 100 per cent delivery of their PVCs.
According to her, she had not taken a final decision on whether to seek re-election in the House of Representatives or to give the Senate a trial in the 2019 general elections under the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party, because she was still weighing the options on the table.
“For 2019, I want to listen to the voice of my people. For now, I am weighing the options on whether I should go to Senate or House of Representatives. Some people asked me to go to the Senate, others advise I should be in the House of Representatives. For now, I am still weighing the options I have on the table”, she said.
A former Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Lt. Gen. Jeremiah Useni (retd), currently representing Plateau South Senatorial District in the National Assembly, had declared intention to run for the governorship of Plateau State in 2019.
Political watchers note that if Useni’s ambition sails through, the coast would be clearer for Lar, daughter of a former governor of Plateau State, Solomon Lar, representing Lantang North/South federal Constituency.
Lar spoke with journalists in Jos, after hosting over 300 members of her constituency who came to show appreciation for giving them employment.
Others guests included beneficiaries of her scholarship scheme and those who are particularly happy with the Bill for the establishment of the Federal University of Agriculture in Sabon-Gida, Lantang South Local Government Area of Plateau State that has passed second reading.
She said, “My expectation is that for 2019, there should be free and fair elections because without a level-playing field, there would be incredible elections. We don’t want that, we want credible elections. It is important for the government to make sure that citizens are not disenfranchised, citizens are not oppressed, and citizens are not intimidated. Everybody who has a permanent votes card should have it delivered.
“I am very worried about recent reports that 66 per of voters cards in the North West have been delivered. In the North Central, it is only 33 percent. In order parts of the country, it is 40 per cent each. No other zone has 66 per cent, apart from the North West. So, that is not a good omen, that should be corrected.
“You can’t vote without a PVC. INEC should please sit up on this. Every part of the country should have 100 per cent delivered of their voters cards. Every Nigerian have a right to their PVC, everybody who has a PVC, it should be delivered to them before 2019.”
She said, “My expectation is that for 2019, there should be free and fair elections because without a level-playing field, there would be incredible elections. We don’t want that, we want credible elections. It is important for the government to make sure that citizens are not disenfranchised, citizens are not oppressed, and citizens are not intimidated. Everybody who has a permanent votes card should have it delivered.
“I am very worried about recent reports that 66 per of voters cards in the North West have been delivered. In the North Central, it is only 33 percent. In order parts of the country, it is 40 per cent each. No other zone has 66 per cent, apart from the North West. So, that is not a good omen, that should be corrected.
“You can’t vote without a PVC. INEC should please sit up on this. Every part of the country should have 100 per cent delivered of their voters cards. Every Nigerian have a right to their PVC, everybody who has a PVC, it should be delivered to them before 2019.”