The last time I checked, some uncalled intrigues were allegedly transpiring under the nose of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), still the leadership of the said authority was seemingly yet to take note of the ugly trending.
It is only a dead person that could claim ignorance of the conspicuous fact that the long awaited general elections are already here with us, hence the compelling need to strengthen any weak wall required to be deployed at the polls.
In view of the above assertion, any loophole as regards the impending elections that’s discovered by any individual or entity shouldn’t be swept under the carpet by anybody that truly means well for Nigeria, Imo in particular. Thus, everyone is expected to be deeply concerned over the fast approaching political outings.
It has come to my notice that in the INEC offices situated in various Local Government Areas (LGAs) across the State, the officials of the commission have resorted to taking gratifications from people who came to collect their Permanent Voter’s Card (PVC). Such complaints have been trooping into the headquarters of the Right Thinkers Movement, a pro-democracy and good governance initiative whose head office is domiciled in Owerri, the Imo State capital.
In my capacity as the National Coordinator of the aforementioned NGO, I was shocked to my bone marrow the first time the information filtered into my senses. I couldn’t believe it at the time. But subsequently, the report kept coming intensely from different affected individuals and groups, thereby making me lose my sense of scepticism.
In one of the LGAs, it was reported that the persons in charge asked the complainant to give them what they would use to purchase sachet water, “pure water” as it’s popularly called, stating it was the only thing that could grant him access to his PVC. Initially, as a true patriotic Nigerian, he refused to comply not until he observed the seriousness boldly written on the faces of the so-called personnel.
Other complainants explained that they were kept in the queue without anybody responding to them when they told the INEC officials that they had no money on them. They thought they would be pitied but ironically, no one gave them a listening ear. They were marvelled when they noticed that those who came after their arrival received their PVCs having openly “bribed” the desk officers. It was at this point they understood they were in “big shit”, or apparently standing alone.
We were informed that these officials usually mention the particular or exact amount to be given to them by the visitor(s). In some LGAs, it was learnt they were boldly collecting N400 whilst some were busy asking for N500. It’s noteworthy that these monies were demanded from the visitors as if they were statutory fees or levies to be paid before anyone could be entitled to receive his/her PVC.
I’m of the notion that such an absurd practice would equally be occurring in other states across the federation, but the INEC leadership in these climes are yet to acknowledge the situation. Or perhaps in some cases, the authority may have heard about the nauseous act but refused to take decisive actions in respect of it. If the latter is the case, then I’m afraid, this smacks of danger.
I’m baffled why the supposed respected INEC staff would be acting as mere beggars or tax collectors, as the case might be, while carrying out their statutory obligations. Does it imply that they are hungry or were lawfully mandated to receive the gratification? This is a question that needs to urgently be attended to by any well meaning individual or entity.
As one who does not throw facts to the waste bin, coupled with the title of this column, I want to believe that these reports are still allegations, hence the compelling need for the INEC to painstakingly swing into action with a view to unravelling the real truth behind the accusations.
As it is widely stated and believed that “there is no smoke without fire”, the authority must not take this as a mere joke if they are genuinely determined to conduct all-inclusive and credible elections come February 16 and March 2, 2019, respectively.
I, therefore, challenge the INEC in Imo to henceforth endeavour to do the needful by sending out spies or monitoring team on its staff serving in various quarters in the state. Such an alarm ought to also be sent to its counterparts in other states across the country. The bad eggs must be duly fished out without much ado.
If an INEC personnel could have the zeal to forcefully collect gratification over issuance of PVC, I wonder what such persons would do during the elections proper. Without mincing words, such staff are the ones that would easily be bought over by the desperate political parties or aspirants.
It’s so appalling, and a paradox too, that while the INEC is deeply involved in the ongoing crusade targeted to conscientize the electorate to go and collect their PVCs, some bad eggs in their midst on other side are reportedly asking for gratifications before giving out the said device. This indeed unequivocally smacks of sabotage, thus such saboteurs need to be shown the way out or outrightly suspended indefinitely.
Similarly, in the spirit of collection of PVCs, the INEC in the respective states should ensure that the devices in question are made available to people in their various polling units or political wards to enable them assess the items with ease. This measure is unavoidably needed, particularly for the sake of the less-privileged such as the sick, physically challenged and the downtrodden.
As Nigerians, Imolites in particular, earnestly await the general elections, we are appealing to the INEC to do everything humanly possible to ensure that the polls eventually become thoroughly successful and credible as anticipated.
Against this backdrop, the INEC should see itself as the Moses expected to lead us to the Promised Land. Think about it!
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