Peter Obi, presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP),
has urged university authorities to give students at least, a one-week holiday
to be able to vote in the forthcoming elections.
Speaking at a meeting on Monday evening with members of the
European Union Election Observation Mission (EU-EOM), obi said there are over
three million students who are eligible to vote.
“I am sure INEC will do the right thing. I am sure the
universities will give them the break to go and vote. It is important because
it is about their future. This election is about these young people and I’m
sure they will allow them to go and vote. We will continue to mention it to
them as we go along,” Obi said.
“For me now, what is important is ensuring that people
collect their PVCs. There are some areas where people are still complaining
that they are being denied their PVCs for one reason or the other. INEC must
give them attention.
“But I must give INEC
credit for extending the date for the collection of PVC, but again I urge them
to ensure that people collect their PVC. This election is very important to
Nigerians. It is an existential election. We want all those that have
registered to participate.”
He commended the Independent National Electoral Commission
(INEC) for extending the deadline for the collection of permanent voters cards
(PVC).
In his remarks, Barry Andrews, chief observer of the EU-EOM,
said the meeting was a routine one for the purpose of interacting with leading
presidential candidates and other stakeholders in the February 25 presidential
election.
“It is part of our
work, we are having meetings with all the stakeholders in this very important
election here in Nigeria. We have met with important participants including
Labour Party today,” Andrews said.
“We also met with APC and PDP candidates. We also met with
the minister of foreign affairs earlier today, the vice president, civil
society, and the media.
“What we are doing is trying to develop a picture of
transparency, inclusivity, and credibility of the election. And we will report
that, two days after the election in a preliminary report in a press conference
on the 27th of February.
“We are in the very early stages. We have been meeting and
people have a collective sense of deepening the very root of democracy and we
think we can play a part but we won’t be making any conclusion until after the
election.”
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But really why do universities have to give break?? They can as well travel home if they know the election is important to their future. Who gives them break when they attend parties during the weekends and the rest.. I don't agree with you on this, PO
ReplyDeleteU see how empty ur brain is?
Delete