Declare public holiday for PVC collection, Ohanaeze advises S’East governors

A faction of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, led by Chief Chidi Ibe, yesterday, called on South East governors to take advantage of the extended period for collection of Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) by Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and declared public holiday in the zone to enable people collect their PVCs.

In a statement in Abakaliki, the Secretary General of the Ibe-led Ohanaeze, Okechukwu Isiguzoro, further pleaded with governors to put stringent strategies that will compel Igbo to go to their wards and collect their PVCs.

The group said: “This is a clarion call to all eligible Igbo voters to go out and collect their PVCs from their wards in the 774 councils of the country where they are resident. This is a rare prospect to re-launch the South East back to the centre and get their desired dividends of democracy.”

The statement reads: “The South East governors should initiate strategies to mobilise and enlighten the people, through party leaders at the ward level, as well as elected or appointed councillors to persuade Ndigbo to go and collect their PVCs before the expiration date of January 29.

“We urged South East governors to put up strict regulations in place to ensure that Igbo parents present their PVCs before registering their children back to schools, and for workers to earn their salaries.

“We call on state governors to declare work-free days and public holidays for civil and public servants to go and collect their PVCs. Meanwhile, Igbo traders and motorists must show their PVCs before they gain access to the markets and motor parks. This is the only way to get Igbo to go collect their PVCs.”