The last time I checked, the Imo State government
had presented a platform that would ensure that virtually every Imolite – who
has attained the adulthood – could boast of his or her Permanent Voter’s Card
(PVC)
Two weeks ago, the Rescue Mission Government
disclosed its intention to stop any worker in the state from collecting his/her
monthly salary if they failed to present their PVC. The initiative, which was
declared by the state’s governor Chief Rochas Okorocha, equally stated that
anyone seeking admission into the state-owned institutions would not be granted
the opportunity if he/she is yet to obtain the PVC.
It’s noteworthy that the proposed measure was
also extended to everyone who intends to have any business transaction with the
government. This signifies that any business person nurturing interest to
engage him/herself in any business with the government would never be
contracted to do so if they can’t show their voter’s card.
Hence,
no contract, trade or collaboration of any kind, between the government and any
corporate body or individual if the latter does not have their PVC. To throw
more light; if a corporate organization is involved, each of the persons that
constitute its management or leadership would be expected to individually
tender their voter’s cards.
This is a welcome development, to assert
the least. It’s a highly welcome initiative because it is targeted to ensure
that no one, particularly adult, exempt him/herself from possessing the
‘almighty’ PVC. The PVC is required to be collected or possessed by every
living adult in Nigeria in its entirety, and Imo isn’t an exception. It is
seemingly aimed at ensuring that no one runs away from such a constitutional
task.
This, therefore, implies that it would
be very crucial for other states across the country to borrow a leaf from the
Imo Government with a view to ensure that each of the citizens domiciled in
their respective territories does not exempt him/herself from taking a walk to
the closest office of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and
obtain the PVC.
However, it’s worthy of note that
overtime the Nigerian society has been bedevilled by the inability to implement
a laudable and wholesome policy having made a pronouncement in that regard.
Its’ not anymore news that most times when a certain policy is pronounced by
the government, not just in Imo but at all levels, in the long run the intended
policy or programme would not see the light of the day. This is needless to say
that most government’s policies die on arrival.
It’s against this backdrop I candidly implore
the Imo government to ensure that this measure doesn’t collapse on arrival. It
is pertinent for the government to comprehend that the policy in question will
surely die as it arrives if apt measures aren’t put in place. The government
needs to acknowledge that the said initiative will hold no water in the long
run if the needful isn’t done.
Hence, I would advise that a committee
comprising well-trusted individuals is set-up in earnest to ensure compliance.
The proposed committee would operate round-the-clock towards ensuring that no
one, no matter how highly placed, violates the policy. And, for the committee
to function as expected, every facet of the government’s authority must be
willing to grant its members all the needed support. In other words, no iota of
compromise should be displayed by anyone in a position of authority.
Similarly, it would be lofty to sell
such a policy to the state legislators towards conscientizing them to
deliberate on it with a view to domesticating it. The policy deserves to be
given a fair hearing by the lawmakers, so that, it would be domesticated
thereafter. Making the policy emerge as an extant law would ensure that
successive governments uphold it without any contemplation.
I
can’t concur less with the Imo government’s notion that the proposed measure,
if duly implemented, would go a long way in ensuring that the fast-approaching
2019 general elections witness a massive turnout. We are not unaware that it is
only the aforementioned anticipated response by the electorate that would
guarantee an all-inclusive participation. And, we are aware that such manner of
involvement by the people will usher in a successful outcome at the end.
Notwithstanding, regarding the part of the
proposed policy that pertains to securing admission into the state owned
tertiary citadels of learning, we need to acknowledge that not everyone is
legible to obtain the PVC.
The
card is constitutionally only meant for people that have attained the
adulthood, or the age of eighteen. It’s no longer news that nowadays teenagers
are part of those seeking admission in our various higher institutions, hence
the need for the policy not to be applicable to all admission applicants.
So, inasmuch as the approach in
question is a wonderful one and deserves accolades, there’s equally need for the
concerned authority to understand that it’s not required to affect every
individual who belongs to the set of people it is meant for such as the
workers, businessmen, admission seekers and what have you, as mentioned by the
government.
However, whatever caution meant to be
adhered to as stipulated above, the bone of contention surrounding this piece
is that the approach in question is a welcome one that ought to be granted all
the supports it requires towards ensuring its absolute success afterwards. Thus
there’s a compelling need for the Okorocha-led administration, otherwise known
as the Rescue Mission, to expedite move towards putting the policy into action.
The INEC, on its part, needs to ensure
that the centres meant for the collection of the PVC are brought closer to the
electorate rather than the current situation whereby they are required to go to
their various Local Government headquarters for the exercise. Such a proposed
measure would ensure that the people don’t spend much, financially, in the
process.
As we all patiently await the 2019 elections,
it’s needless to reiterate that the ‘no voter’s card, no salary, admission et
al’ mantra ought to serve as one of the veritable tools to ensure undiluted
success at the polls. Think about it!
Comrade Fred Nwaozor
National Coordinator, Right Thinkers
__________________
frednwaozor@gmail.comFollow me: @mediambassador
