437,354 uncollected PVCs in Osun, says REC

…commences sensitisation in churches

By Deborah Oladejo, Osogbo

Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on Sunday embarked om electoral sensitisation to churches in Osun State, with a charge to voters to collect their Permanent Voters Card (PVC).

The Osun State Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Dr. Mutiu Adegoke noted that there are 437,354 uncollected PVCs in the state, which according to him can elect a governor.

Adegoke spoke at Union Baptist Church, Osogbo, even as he urged the church members to take seriously the forthcoming election.

He said: “It is your civic responsibility to obtain your Permanent Voters Card, cast your vote on the election day and monitor INEC’s declaration.

“Before you are eligible to vote, you need your PVC. In Osun State, at the moment, we have 437,354 PVCs uncollected. This number of PVCs is sufficient to make someone a governor.”

The REC appealed to residents to visit the INEC offices across the 30 local government areas to collect their PVCs.

He, however, debunked the notion that INEC has included names of under aged persons in its register.

He assured that on the final list which INEC would release, names of under aged and persons with multiple registrations would not be included.

“Nobody will rig this coming election, INEC will only declare the person you have voted as the winner of the election.

“INEC has rededicated the pattern of voting, our technology will guarantee the sacredness of your vote. Nobody can hijack your vote again with the use of BVAS,” he assured.

Adegoke promised to make available the election guideline, stressing that the electoral act will be strictly adhered to. 

Calling on religious leaders to use their platforms to properly orientate their members, he charged Osun residents not to relent after the 2022 governorship election but get ready to vote during the presidential, National and House of Assembly elections in 2023. 

In his response, the minister-in-charge of the church, Rev Sunday Adeoye promised to cooperate with the new REC for better sensitisation of members.

He noted that information is key hence the need for voters’ education, stating that all necessary details made available will be passed across to the congregation.