By David Odama (In Lafia, Nasarawa State)
With the recent extension of the voters registration exercise by the nation's electoral umpire, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), the governorship candidate of the Allied Peoples Movement (APM) in Nasarawa State, Alhaji Mohammed Suleiman Awwal, has outlined the benefits of acquiring a Permanent Voters Card (PVC).
Awwal described these benefits as the enthronement of good governance and sustenance of the nation's democracy. He said the acquisition and collection of PVCs by Nigerians of voting age will enable them to exercise their civic rights and also effect the desired change they want in the country.
The APM gubernatorial candidate who described voter registration exercise as tool to fight against insecurity, injustice, hardship, corruption, nepotism, etc, however, said the nation's democracy and good governance can only be realised when Nigerians are armed and ready to effect that desired change.
Speaking in Lafia, the capital of Nasarawa state at the occasion of his wedding which was somewhat turned to a political jamboree, Awwal told his guests, his political supporters and the drivers of the Nigeria's democratic process, of the urgent need to strengthen the nation's democratic institutions. He urged the electorates on the need for caution in determining the choice of the country's leaders in the 2023 polls.
According to him, the actions and inactions of Nigerian leaders against the country and her citizenry have brought the nation to the present hardship being experienced. He stated that if there were no drastic revolution through the use of the voters card to decide the faith of Nigerians in 2023, there would never be a time for the expected change.
Awwal however called on Nigerian voters to do away with electoral vices such as vote-buying, saying "Nigerians must reject vote buying, vote for leaders with conscience who are ready to make sacrifices. Nigerians must be conscientious to avert the looming collapse of the nation's democracy".
He advised the people especially those who did not have Permanent Voters Card PVC to ensure that they get one, considering its benefits in the democratic dispensation. He added that it is only when they obtain the PVCs that they would have the strength and capacity to determine who will govern them.
"We should continue to inspire and give hope to others as we deal with the situation at hand. Apart from the freedom that democracy brings, we should continue to build on the greater hope ahead of us", the Guber candidate declared
He adds that, "As we prepare to provide new leaders in 2023 through the ballot process, Nigerians should look inwards and ensure that right choices are made to drive good governance in the interest of the larger society rather than in personal interest. We must not loose sight of the unity, peace, and progress of our great country. The nation cannot thrive in the face of hatred, mistrust, unforgiveness, injustice, and lack of equity", the Guber candidate stated
While appreciating the gathering for turning up to grace his wedding ceremony, he called on the citizens to keep hope alive, and to support his ambition to salvage Nasarawa from the hands of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) government in the state. NNL.