Probes INEC over alleged issuance of PVCs to underage voters
James Emejo in Abuja
The House of Representatives On Tuesday passed a motion urging the federal government to respond positively to the demand of the Depot and Petroleum Products Marketers Association of Nigeria (DAPPMAN) and avert the planned shut down by their members’ depot nationwide as well as avert the mass sack of their workers.
It further directed its Committee on Legislative Compliance to ensure implementation.
The resolution followed a motion moved under matter of public importance by Hon. Bolaji Ayinka.
He said if the association is allowed to carry out its threat, it would have multiplier effect on nationwide supply and distribution of petroleum products as the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) utilises the private depots owned by members of the association to stock most of its imported products for a fee. Due to shortage in facilities in the country.
DAPPMAN had on February 22 issued a 14-day ultimatum to government to pay the outstanding subsidy debts or risk a shutdown.
He recalled that Vice President Yemi Osinbajo had last year directed the Minister of Finance, Mrs. Kemi Adeosun to pay oil marketers an outstanding claims of $2 billion after verification but the debt has remained.
Expectedly, the oil marketers had raised concern over the development as they are heavily indebted to banks.
Meanwhile, the House, yesterday also passed a motion calling for the setting up of an ad-hoc committee to investigate the registration and issuance of Permanent Voters Cards (PVCs) to underaged voters by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
The motion was sponsored by Hon. Johnbull Shekarau raised concerned about reports from the social, print and electronic media which indicated that there were incidences of under aged voters who presented themselves at polling units with Permanent Voters Cards (PVCs) to vote in the recently conducted Local Government Elections in Kano State.
Shekarau said the incidence, if left unchecked, would have adverse effects on the peaceful conduct, credibility of future elections and the legitimacy of elected leaders.
He raised further worry over the confession of the Director of Publicity and Voter Education at INEC, Oluwole Osaze Uzzi, while responding to questions on television that the under aged voters were registered because the lives of the registration officers were being threatened.
He said the incidence caused serious embarrassment to the nation and amounts to a threat to our growing democracy and a danger to the security of lives of officials posted to handle sensitive national issues such as registration of eligible voters.
He noted that Section 12 (1) of the Electoral Act, 2010 provides that a person shall be qualified to be registered as a voter if such a person has attained the age of eighteen years and the INEC is empowered to register and issue Permanent Voters’ Cards (PVCs) to eligible Nigerians.
