By Angela Atabo/Emmanuel Oloniruha
Youths in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) defied an outpour of rain to participate in the ‘Open Air Continuous Voters Registration (CVR)’ exercise.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the registration is organised by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), European Union and civil society organisations. The open air exercise is also part of activities preceding the Youth Vote Count 2.0 Mega Concert, to hold on June 25 at the Old Parade Ground in Abuja.
One of the youths, Miss Rosemary Okereke, in an interview with NAN, commended the initiative. “What actually brought me here is to transfer my PVC from my state to Abuja to enable me vote. The organisers really tried, they did their best, it is just that the crowd overpowered them initially; I think everything is really well organised now.
The masses need to cooperate with them; they really need to be patient and they will attend to everybody. If they work with the organisers, things are going to move smoothly. Most of us got the information on Twitter, so my advice for other people out there is that this is real. Come to Old Parade Ground, it is not really difficult, if you work with the security agents and follow the directions, I feel things will really work out for you,” she said.
Another youth, Mr Sor Orduen, said the process, though hectic, was worthwhile.
“I was here yesterday but I was asked to come back today. I came before eight o’clock, in fact from the gate there was a line to that fire service. “I have registered, but through a lot of process; you can see people in the rain. See my shirt, we have gone through a lot. Still, it is worth it so what I am telling youths is, wherever you are listening to me, come out and register, it is worth it.
“I am very sure that with this, we can change the government to the one that will favour us.
Similarly, Miss Sandra Edeh, a youth corps member, commended the stakeholders for the initiative to help youths register and collect their PVCs. “My experience here today was very uncomplicated, pretty easy. I got in here at about past 10 a.m. I was thinking that the whole process will be like everybody that wants to do different things will be lined up on a particular queue, but apparently they have like different sections for different people. So I came here to transfer my voter card because I had done mine in Lagos and yes, I am done, it is pretty easy, simple.
“Youths out there, if you have not got your PVC, please this is not the time to joke at all, come here and get your PVC. They did it in Lagos and this time it is in Abuja, please come and get your PVC. It is really important because we need to vote,” she said.
Edeh thanked the organisers for the privilege, adding that it made the effort really worthwhile. (NAN)
