Barely few days to the 2019 General elections, residents of Ikorodu Division of Lagos State stormed the GRA office of Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Ikorodu, to collect their Permanent Voters Card (PVC). INEC had sent messages urging voters to collect their P VCs in order to exercise their Civic duties.
The message reads: “Are you a registered voter and yet to collect your PVC? Please visit INEC or LGA office where you registered to collect your PVC from 9am to 3pm, Monday to Friday, until 8th February 2019. Remember no PVC, no voting.”
But when Oriwu Sun visited the office, the gate was locked and hundreds of voters were seen waiting outside the premises of the electoral body hoping that luck would smile on them so that they would be able to collect their PVC.
Men of Nigeria Police Force were also seen outside trying to forestall breakdown of law and order. Men of Nigeria Army and OP Mesa also came but left less than ten minutes after their arrival at the venue.
Effort to speak to officials of INEC proved abortive as security agencies said no official was ready to grant any interview.
Those that could no longer wait left in frustration, blaming the government for inefficiency.
In an interview, an elderly man that pleaded anonymity said that government should make the process of registration and collection of the PVC very easy. He added that he came from Ijede and was not sure if he would collect it.
Another lady who spoke to Oriwu Sun said that she came from Isawo to collect the PVC and urged the government to make the process of collection easier next time.