Wale JAGUN & Abiodun TESLIM
-Enjoins them to report any inconveniences during registration to Council Chairmen, Obas
Oba (Engr.) Kabiru Adewale Shotobi, the Ayangbure of Ikorodu, has urged indigenes and residents of Ikorodu division who are yet to have their Permanent Voters Card (PVC) to go and register at any nearest Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) office and collect their voters card as soon as possible.
He made this appeal at his palace on Saturday, June 30, 2018, when the Otunba Ganiyu Olusegun Abiru led thousands of residents to the palace during the “1-Million Man March for PVC” in Ikorodu.
The march was organized by the Otunba Ganiyu Olusegun Abiru (GOA) Senatorial Campaign Team to sensitise the people on the need to register and collect their PVCs very urgently.
Oba Shotobi, who was very happy with the huge crowd that turned out enmasse to support Otunba Ganiyu Abiru and registration for the Permanent Voters Card (PVC), took to the dance floor to entertain the crowd with royal dance steps.
Oba Kabiru Shotobi, while addressing the crowd, said that, “For Ikorodu division to attain its rightful place within the Lagos State and Nigeria political arrangements, residents and indigenes must register and get their PVCs in other to vote in the coming elections”.
The royal father added, “It is through voting that Ikorodu division can prove that it’s the first in terms of population and political engagements.”
He informed the gathering that as from Monday, July 2, all Obas and Local Government Chairmen in Ikorodu division would be visiting every voters card registration center within their respective domains to get first hand information on what is happening at the centers.
He charged the residents to report any case of inconveniences being experienced at the INEC office and other registration centres in the cause of registering for PVCs to either the local government Chairmen or the Obas in the division.
Shotobi urged the women to ensure that they do everything possible to encourage their husbands to register and collect their PVCs.
“Women know how to make their husbands do what they want, therefore, I want them to implore their husbands who are yet to register to do so and collect their PVCs”, he charged women in Ikorodu.
He also charged the huge crowd to continue giving their supports to Otunba Ganiyu Olusegun Abiru in his quest to become the Senator representing Lagos East Senatorial District in 2019.
The Ayangbure of Ikorodu said that Abiru has demonstrated his capability to accurately and properly represent the people through his achievements as the chairman of Ikorodu-Oga Development Association (IKODASS).
Also addressing the crowd at the Ayangbure palace, Asipa Kaoli Olusanya, former Commissioner for Agriculture and Cooperatives in Lagos State and State Vice Chairman , APC Lagos East Senatorial District, said there is need for Ikorodu people to prove their electoral numbers in the coming elections.
He noted that eligible voters in Ikorodu is about one million people.
Kaoli said that the essence of the sensitization campaign was to enlighten the people on the need to register and collect their PVCs in other to exercise their franchise as good citizens of Nigeria.
The Convener of the march, Otunba Ganiyu Abiru, who is the the Chairman of Ikorodu-Oga Development Association (IKODASS) and a Senatorial aspirant, while addressing the participants, stated that PVC is the electorate economic and political power and enjoined them to get it.
“In our continued efforts to ensure the success of year 2019 elections and also vote for candidates of our choice, we can’t, therefore, ignore the need to possess the PVC which is our political and economic power.
“Let me say here, that while I cannot claim to be oblivious of the problems being encountered in the process of PVC collection, I want to encourage you to fight all the odds and disallow the challenges from disefranching you.
“We are dialoguing with INEC officials on ways to facilitate the registration process and I am sure in no distant date, the INEC office will come up with solutions to combat the challenges and solve the problems.
“This rally and efforts put into it will not worth the while if we cannot register about 90% of eligible voters.
“Your PVC is your future and must not be treated with levity. If you have not obtained your PVC, the time to do that is now. Voting for your candidate of your choice is not only a constitutional demand but also a natural imperative.”
