400,000 PVCs yet to arrive in Lagos –INEC

The Independent National Electoral Commission in Lagos says at least 400,000 Permanent Voter Cards have yet to arrive the state.

The state Resident Electoral Commissioner, Mr. Akin Orebiyi, said this during a news briefing in Lagos on Friday.

He, however, promised that the cards would arrive Lagos by Monday next week.

Orebiyi said although less than 70 per cent of Lagos registered voters had received their PVCs, Lagos still has the highest PVC distribution which stands at over three million.

“As of February 14, we had distributed 3,619,640 out of 5,905,852 registered voters. That is about 64 per cent but it is the highest in Nigeria. We are still awaiting the arrival of about 400,000 PVCs from the national headquarters and as soon as we are able to receive them, we will make them available,” he said.

Orebiyi denied allegations that INEC was withholding PVCs belonging to non-indigenes in the state.

He, however, revealed that some local governments were more affected than others regarding the availability of PVCs.

He said, “We are expecting additional cards in all the 20 local governments in the state but some areas have high number of outstanding cards which we should get soon. In Oshodi/Isolo Local Government Area, places like Bolade, Orile, Isolo and Okota and a number of places in the LGA are affected.

“In Mushin LGA, we are still expecting cards for Mushin Olateju ward, specifically 28 polling units there; Ilasa, Mushin Atewolara, Itire, Alakara, Papa Olosha, Papa Ajao, as well as Kayode and Fadeyi

“In Ibeju/Lekki LGA, we are still expecting a few cards in Simiwon Igbekodo, CHS Lakowe, Abijo and Orinmawa. In Ikeja LGA, we are still expecting cards in Alausa, Oregun, Olusosun, Ojodu, Agidingbi and Omole wards.

“In Ifako/Ijaye LGA, we are expecting cards for old Ifako, Karaole, Ijaye, new Ifako, Oyemekun, Fagba, Akute, Ishaga, Iju Obawole, Abule Egba, Ijaye, ojokoro, Ijaye Agbado, Kolington, Alakuko, as well as Ajegunle and Akinde wards.

“In Ikorodu, outstanding cards are for Isele 1 and 2, Aga Ijowu, Ipakodo, Imota. In Ajeromi/Ifelodun LGA, we are expecting in Awodiora, Temidire, Ojo, Mosafejo, Tolu

“In Eti-Osa LGA, Lekki, Ikate, Sangotedo, Langbasa, Badore and Ikoyi. In Surulere LG, Adeniran Ogunsanya, Itire and Coker.

“In Amuwo Odofin LGA, there are outstanding cards for Kirikiri, Jakande Housing Estate at Mile 2, Festac, Satellite and Ijegun.

“In Alimosho, we want to urge our people to continue to exercise patience especially in Shasha, Akowonjo, Idimu, Isheri Olofin, Ikotun, Ijegun, Egbe, Agbodo and Ipaja to Ayobo. For Ojo LGA: Sabo Oniba, Ijankini and Ojo. In Lagos Island LGA: Oko Awo, Olowogbowo, Oluwole, Oke arin, and Idumota.

“In Kosofe LGA: Ifako, Solurin, Ikosi, Alapere, Isheri Olowo Ira.

“Somolu, we have yet to get cards for Ladylak.”

Orebiyi said in order for the cards to be distributed more effectively, INEC would move the distribution closer to the polling units on weekends.

He, however, urged the people of Lagos to keep in mind that the deadline for PVCs remained March 8, 2015.

He said, “What we are planning is that by Friday, we will move from the local government office to the polling units. On Fridays and Saturdays, we will be at the polling units so that people will be able to collect their PVCs from near their houses.

“We will also do it on February 27 and February 28 and on March 6, March 7, and 8. We will do another weekend distribution of polling units but during weekdays, people can go to our local government offices to collect the cards.

He said Lagos INEC had received over 12,000 smart card readers and were already being configured for each polling unit.