Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode on Friday urged residents to approach the offices of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) across the State for their Permanent Voters Cards (PVCs) to enable them participate in future elections.
Governor Ambode, who spoke at the All Progressives Congress (APC) party secretariat in Lagos during a meeting with Local Government and Ward Chairmen of the party, said it was important for residents of the State who are yet to collect their PVCs to approach the electoral body, as the process of distribution of the cards has begun in earnest.
The Governor said available information at his disposal was to the effect that a lot of people were not aware of the ongoing exercise by INEC, and as such, people must be made to be aware and take the distribution seriously.
It would be recalled that the electoral commission, few days ago, began distribution of PVCs in Lagos with a call on registered voters to come with their temporary cards for the collection of the PVCs between 8am and 4pm from Monday to Friday.
The Governor said: “There is an INEC exercise going on now in which they are distributing voters’ card to those who are yet to collect. Many people are not even aware of the development and I like to use this medium to appeal to our party members to go and collect their PVCs.
“I want to encourage all of us that we should now take the exercise seriously because that is the beginning of the framework of the elections yet to come. This is an appeal both to our members who are here and those who are not here.
“The APC, as from Monday, will also start massive mobilization and sensitization of the public towards the exercise,” Governor Ambode said.
The Governor equally thanked members of the party for supporting his administration so far, adding that the support had contributed to the huge successes recorded in the last fourteen months since he assumed office.
Governor Ambode, who specifically appreciated the APC National Leader, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu and all the party leaders for their support, however urged party faithful to remain committed and loyal to the ideals of the party, as well as the leadership of the party.
“Once again, I want to thank all party leaders and members. I have said it before that we must follow our leaders and I am saying it again. We need to support and abide by whatever directive or direction our National Leader is asking us to go,” the Governor said.
On his part, Tinubu corroborated the plea of the Governor asking members to collect their PVCs, saying that the people must indeed give the ongoing exercise by INEC the necessary seriousness it deserves.
Besides, Tinubu commended Governor Ambode for his laudable achievements in office just within fourteen months, adding that the Governor has made him very proud.
He also commended the Deputy Governor, Dr Idiat Oluranti Adebule and the entire team of the State Government for supporting the Governor to achieve so much within a little time.
He added: “I was with Mr President, President Muhammadu Buhari for about two hours yesterday and Governor Ambode was not there when we were discussing generally about the problem of Nigeria. The Vice President, Professor Yemi Osinbajo got up and spoke glowingly of the Governor and my head was swelling. I became even more proud of him.”
Among those present at the meeting include Lagos State Deputy Governor, Dr. (Mrs.) Oluranti Adebule; Chairman, APC Lagos State, Otunba Henry Ajomale; former Lagos State Deputy Governor, Prince Abiodun Ogunleye; Party Chieftain, Prince Tajudeen Olusi; Senator representing Lagos East at the Upper Legislative Chamber, Gbenga Ashafa; Southwest APC Women Leader, Chief Mrs Kemi Nelson; Deputy Speaker, Lagos State House of Assembly, Wasiu Sanni Eshinlokun, among others.
