10m Igbo may be disenfranchised, says S’East PDP

NATIONAL Vice Chairman of the Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP) of the South East Zone, retired Colonel Austin Akobundu has alleged that not less than ten million Igbos are presently disenfranchised by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), challenging the commission to show evidence of its neutrality by ensuring the effective distribution of permanent voters cards (PVCs) in PDP-controlled states.

Akobundu said Tuesday said that a situation whereby a supposedly electoral umpire displays signs of bias in the conduct of its constitutional assignment cannot be accepted by the PDP in particular, Ndigbo, and indeed every right thinking Nigerian.

The statement reads in part “in the last couple of days, Prof. Attahiru Jega’s lack of neutrality in the exercise of his constitutional assignment as INEC Chairman has manifested exceedingly. From the published list of states that have collected their PVCs so far, it is apparent that only the APC-controlled states have had greater percentage of the PVCs collection.

“For instance, how can Jega and his INEC justify a situation whereby the South East, South South, South West and North Central, which are relatively PDP strongholds are yet to get substantial number of PVCs when zones like North West and North East where part of it are theatres of war have so far had over 75 percent collection.

“Besides, areas considered as PDP strongholds have been denied the collection of PVCs. It is worrying that in states like Lagos, which has large population of PDP members and sympathizers, areas considered as PDP districts have been denied the receipt of their PVCs when areas seen as APC dominated have all had their PVCs even before the postponed February 14, elections.”

He urged Prof. Jega to evidently explain why the south east geopolitical zone and indeed all areas where the Igbo inhabit across the country have not received up to 60 percent of their PVCs as against other areas and zones adding that surprisingly, Jega pranced about claiming to be ready to conduct February 14 and February 28 elections.

“For now over 10million Igbos are yet to collect their PVCs and if Prof Jega and his INEC continue to show the present high degree of apathy and bias, this large number would be disenfranchised on March 28 and April 11.

“I therefore challenge Prof Jega and INEC to show evidence of neutrality and live up to national and international expectations in the conduct of the 2015 elections by distributing PVCs to areas where Ndigbo are found in large numbers like south east, Lagos and some parts of the north.

“Ndigbo have suffered enough marginalization. We cannot afford another dangerous phase of denial, the denial of our right to vote and be voted for which Jega and his INEC are trying to inflict on us.