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PVC registration deadline: Jandor pledges support to Alaba, other markets traders

L-R: Dr. Jonathan Nnaji, Coordinator Ndigbo Lagos4Lagos; Geoffrey Mbonu, President Alaba Amalgamated Council of Sectional Heads: Dr Abdul-Azeez Adeniran(Jador) and others

By Ezurike Ugochukwu

Peoples Democratic Party(PDP), candidate in the 2023 Lagos State Governorship Election, Dr. Abdul-Azeez Olajide Adeniran, popularly known as Jandor has assured Alaba international market traders that he will stand by them in their efforts to get their Permanent Voters Card(PVC) regardless of all the stumbling blocks being experienced.

Jandor who on Friday paid a solidarity visit to the Alaba Amalgamated Council of Sectional Heads(AACSH) at the Association’s Secretariat, Alaba, Ojo Local government over the setback and intimidation they witnessed on the 9th of June when they closed the market to enable their members who have not got their PVCs do so.

The PDP candidate says that he wonders why some people will be jittery when people want to exercise their civic right to vote and elect leaders of their choice, described such act as absurd and barbaric.

Dr. Adeniran, who is also the convener of Lagos 4Lagos assured them that he will do all within his capacity to see that no one who is of voting age is disenfranchised.

“Our visit to Alaba international Market is to identify with our brothers here. Everybody have heard of the issues that happened here last week during PVC registration: how people were being disenfranchised.

“I can’t imagine what happened here last week. How can I hear such and see myself sleep with my two eyes closed, that is not who we are. We are peaceful people.

“We are here to say to them that we are trying to see how we can do all things humanly possible to see that we have a hitch-free exercise.

“We are talking about getting PVCs. Why should anybody, for any reason feel jittery that Lagosians are committed towards getting their PVC?

“As far as we are concerned, we want as many people as possible to get their PVC, so that they can key into the electoral process and elect whoever they want to govern them in 2023.

“Mr Chairman and sectional leaders of Alaba, I am here to let you know that we have just nine months to elect that governmemt that will not be closing your markets at any slightest provocation.

“My mother was a trader, I know what it means to close markets, such amounts to denial of daily bread to some homes,” Dr Adeniran said.

The governorship hopeful assured the leaders of the market that he has scheduled to meet the Lagos Resident Electoral Commissioner(REC) on charting way forward.

“I have taken it upon myself by fixing appointment to see Lagos Resident Electoral Commissioner on how more equipment could be deployed to cover most areas so that our people who want to exercise their civic right would do so. I will also rub mind with him and lend our voices on the need to extend the deadline from 30 June to some other time.

“I have also written to the commissioner of Police just to discuss on how to send his men to protect voters here in Alaba against these attacks.

“We have spoken about the tactic to deploy for hitch- free exercise. Am here to bring breath of fresh air come 2023, I have come to identify with you, to assure you, you are not strangers.

“The wealth, the beauties of Lagos, that economy that makes it Nigeria’s centre of attention wouldn’t have been possible without the contribution of Alaba International market and other markets.

“We can’t continue to leave governance of Lagos in the hands of mediocre because we want to play safe. For us, our word is our bond.

Welcoming thier guests, the President, Alaba Amalgamated Council of Sectional Heads(AACSH), Hon Geoffrey Mbonu thanked the Lagos4Lagos team for coming to identify with them at this time.

Mbonu

Mbonu stated that it was thier members that sought for the closure of the market last week to enable them get their PVCs to be able to vote the right individuals of their choices.

The President stated that in as much as everyone in Nigeria is a party member, that this time around, they would not base thier choice on party rather on individual.

He took a swipe on the Independent National Electoral Commission(INEC) saying thier lack of preparedness has contributed to the failure of the programme, called for extension of the June 30 deadline.

Mbonu said, “I will put the blame on INEC, they don’t have enough staff, neither do they have enough machines.

“Please help us talk to INEC officials, our people are ready;

Our people want to vote but the concern is that there are no registration points here.

“We are happy your excellency has said you are making more efforts. I will be with you to achieve this goal, also other meaningful Nigerians I know are concerned.

“I don’t know what you people are doing about extension. It was one of the things I stated in my press conference for the extension of deadline to more months may be to August.

Mbonu further appealed on the need to make them partakers in decision that concerns their businesses in the state since they are major stakeholders in the state as a man.

Alhaji Buba Mohammed, who is the Public Relations Officer of the association and Hon. Oyedeji Olaleye, the Chief Security Officer on behalf of other sectional heads called on the governorship hopeful to stand by his promises and not to renege when God helps him to achieve his dream. They pledge their support to his aspiration.