All Progressives Congress (APC) National Leader, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, has apologised over his claims that Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) have expired.
Tinubu had in a trending video urged his supporters to go and take part in the ongoing ‘new registration’ because “the PVCs you have had expired”.
“In case they do not announce to you on time, the PVC you have has expired. Take one family member, two family members, knock on all doors and make sure that the new registration… Because they may not announce to you on time. The PVCs you have has expired”, he said.
However, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on Wednesday, faulted the claims, nothing that the PVCs were intact.
The Chief Technical Advisor to the Chairman of INEC, Prof Bolade Eyinla, said that the PVCs issued in recent years remained valid for all elections being conducted by the INEC.
He said, “This information is not correct. The PVC issued to all previously registered voters remains valid. This kind of statement will certainly push eligible voters to register more than once, thereby creating the problem of double and multiple registrations.”
In a statement over the development that had elicited heated debates among Nigerians, Tinubu media office said the comment was a mistake.
The statement said, “On Tuesday night in Abuja, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu granted audience to a delegation of women from Lagos and across the country attending the APC Women Conference. While charging the women to check the status of their voting cards and mobilise supporters to vote, he mistakenly used the word ‘expire’ instead of stating that the cards may have to be updated.
“Immediately upon being apprised of this, Asiwaju apologised for the incorrect statement and felt sorry for any confusion it may have caused. Asiwaju Tinubu also stressed that he appreciates the patriotic and necessary work of INEC and its personnel in assuring a free and fair electoral process for all Nigerians in all political parties.
“At the meeting convened at the behest of the women, Asiwaju emphasized the need for people to fully participate in elections so we strengthen our democracy. He urged them to continue to mobilise voters to update their PVCs and help thwart the prevailing voter-apathy.
“The gap between those who registered for elections and those who usually turned up to pick their PVCs was wide, adding that such constitutes a serious challenge, which may impede the growth of our democracy.
“Asiwaju Tinubu would like to reiterate this call to women to mobilise at the grassroots levels so that elections reflect the sovereign will of all the people for a true democracy to be established. He enjoins them to review their voting details with INEC so that these details will be updated before the coming elections.”
