Declare holiday to pick uncollected PVCs, ex-REC tells Makinde 

The immediate past Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) Oyo State, Dr. Mutiu Agboke, has enjoined Oyo State government to declare at least a day holiday to enable residents yet to pick their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs), to get their cards to help offset the about 700,000 uncollected PVCs.

Agboke gave the advice while delivering a keynote address at the 15th anniversary celebration of the first Ibadan-based private radio station, Splash 105.5 FM, and the 83rd birthday celebration of the radio station’s founder, Chief Adebayo Akande, who is the Ekaarun Olubadan of Ibadanland.

He explained that the public holiday would discourage voters’ apathy, assuring the people that the country’s electoral processes have undergone necessary transformation that would enable the people’s vote count, especially with the introduction of the Bimodal Voters Accreditation System (BVAS) and quick update of results on INEC portal which has begun to revolutionize democratic system.

Assuring that despite security challenges, the Independent National Electoral Commission, (INEC), remained committed to the timelines for the conduct of the next general elections, Agboke stressed the need for all stakeholders, particularly security operatives to synergize for a smooth electoral process next year.

Also, the chairman of the event, Professor Femi Bamiro, in his address, charged stakeholders to ensure they deliver on their mandate to the people, as any disruption or lack of trust from them might portend grave dangers to the process 

Equally, in his welcome address, delivered by his celebrant’ wife, Chief Onikepo Akande, Akande, acknowledged that the story of Splash Fm has been that of audacity and defying the odds, which consequently opened up the frontiers for other private radio stations in Ibadan.

In his remarks, General Manager Operations, SplashFm, Mr. Tunde Olawuwo, stated that the various brands of West Midlands Communications, SplashFm and Lagelufm, would not relent in its commitment to championing ideas that would deepen civil and political enlightenment 

Present at the event were foremost Ibadan elder, Chief Kola Daisi; Pro-Chancellor and chairman Lead City University, Professor Jide Owoeye; High Chief Eddy Oyewole, Zonal Director, National Broadcasting Corporation, Raphael Akpan amongst other dignitaries