Governor Abubakar Sani Bello has declared public holidays on Thursday, 30th June 2022 and Friday, 1st July 2022 for Niger state residents to obtain their Permanent Voter Cards, PVCs, ahead of the 2023 general elections.
Bello made the declaration in a press statement signed by Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Ahmed Ibrahim Matane in Minna
He said the holiday is to enable Civil Servants, Public Office Holders, and citizens of the State who have attained the age of 18 years or lost their Permanent Voters Cards (PVCs) or even changed their locations to take advantage of the ongoing INEC Continuous Voters Registration Exercise and obtain their Permanent Voters Card (PVCs).
Matane disclosed that the Governor has directed all Commissioners, Special Advisers and top government officials to proceed to their respective Local Governments to sensitize and mobilize the general public to come out en-mass to register and obtain their Voter Cards before the closing date announced by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
“At the end of the exercise, Commissioners and Special Advisers are expected to render reports on the outcome of the exercise in their Local Government Areas, the statement stressed. Voters Card remains the only tool that allows people to elect credible candidates of their choice,”
Also, commending the governor, the state chapter of Christian Association of Nigerian (CAN) said the holiday will enable Christians who have not registered before, those who have attained the age of 18 years or lost their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) or even changed their locations have the opportunity to register.
In a statement signed by his Media Aide Daniel Atori, the state chairman CAN, Most Rev Bulus Dauwa Yohanna charged all Nigerlites especially Church leaders, worshippers, Civil Servants, Public Office Holders, Women and youths to take advantage of the holiday to get their PVCs registration done.
”We appreciate the Governor, and call on Bloc leaders to mobilize and continue in the sensitization of the ongoing Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Continuous Voters Registration (CVR) exercise and come out en-mass to register and obtain their Voter Cards before the closing,” the cleric added.