The former deputy governor of Lagos State, Alhaja Sinatu Ojikutu, has urged the Independent National Electoral Commission to publish the list of all unclaimed Permanent Voter Cards.
The PUNCH had reported that the commission’s Public Affairs Officer in Lagos, Mrs Adenike Oriowo, put the number of uncollected cards at 963,884 as of October 21, 2022.
Findings by The PUNCH across 19 states indicated that Lagos, Ogun, Delta, Ekiti and Enugu states lead the figures of huge numbers of unclaimed PVCs despite the efforts by INEC to stem the tide of voter apathy.
Ojikutu, in a statement issued on Wednesday in Lagos by her media office, urged the election management body to ensure a free, fair and credible election across the country.
She said, “I urge INEC to publish all unclaimed PVCs and the publication should be on a local government basis. The upcoming election should be issue-based and devoid of mudslinging that would distract the electorate to make an informed decision.
“The election management body should continue on the same trajectory that would ensure openness and transparency to forestall any violence after the election.
“The choices we make will either strengthen if we choose the right candidate or worsen the economic situation of the country if a wrong and incompetent candidate is elected.”