The Presidential Coalition Committee (PCC), Lagos State Chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC), has urged its members and eligible residents to register and collect their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) ahead of the 2027 general elections, stressing that “without a PVC, you have no say.”

This coincided with a plea by Cross River State Governor, Bassey Otu, that Nigerian youth take the ongoing Continuous Voters’ Registration (CVR) exercise seriously, describing the voter card as essential for political participation and national development.

PCC’s call was made on Saturday at the Police College Grounds, Ikeja, where over 40,000 street captains were inaugurated across the state to mobilise at least five residents each to register and collect their PVCs.

Speaking at the event, the PCC State Coordinator and member representing Ikeja Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, Hon. James Faleke, said the gathering was aimed at empowering the street captains to drive voter participation.

“Today is a very unique day because we are not here for campaign, but to inaugurate you, the street captains, and enjoin you to move out in your streets and call out all those who have not registered. Encourage them to go and register and collect their PVCs, that is the essence,” Faleke said.

He charged the captains to mobilise from house to house, adding, “Without a PVC, you cannot say anything.” Chairman of the Planning Committee, Kolade David Alabi, described the initiative as part of a broader mission to reconnect governance with the people and strengthen democracy from the grassroots.

SPEAKING at a grand reception in Calabar organised by the Cross River State Political Network (CRISPON) to mark his 66th birthday, Governor Bassey Otu said Nigeria’s economic planning and resource allocation depend on numerical data derived from voter registration and census figures.

“The Continuous Voters’ Registration must be given all the attention it deserves because the country’s economic planning is largely dependent on numerical strength,” he said. “We must make the most of this opportunity to move our state and nation forward.”

Otu, accompanied by senior aides, thanked CRISPON for its support and promised that his administration would soon roll out a social safety net programme to benefit youth across the state.

He urged young people to prepare for active civic participation, hinting that some forthcoming government initiatives would require valid voter cards as proof of citizenship.

CRISPON Director-General, Dr Prince Michael Abuo, described Otu as a people-centred leader whose policies were improving lives, urging him to sustain the momentum of development.