BE NEUTRAL, JONATHAN ADVISES JEGA.

" Orders him to issue PVCs to Nigerians before Feb 14
PRESIDENT Goodluck Jonathan has advised the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Professor Attahiru Jega, to maintain a high degree of neutrality in the conduct of next month’s general elections.
He has also told the electoral body to ensure that all eligible voters get their Permanent Voters Card (PVC) before the conduct of the elections.
The president was speaking after swearing in Professor Akinola Murtala Salau, INEC commissioner, at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, on Wednesday.
He admonished the new commissioner to demonstrate to Nigerians the quality he was made of in his new assignment.
Jonathan observed that Salau deserved to be congratulated for the appointment because he was somebody who should have resumed office long ago, but for some issues that made government to step it down.
Jonathan added: “these are the kind of people we want to put in INEC, people with impeccable character. So, Professor, we want to charge you to go and demonstrate clearly that you are somebody with an impeccable character and that you will do good to all Nigerians irrespective of anything.
“INEC is supposed to be absolutely neutral. The whole world is watching and you are coming into INEC at a very critical time with 40 days to election.
“So, you are coming at a critical time that I believe the chairman who is here himself also needs your services.”
On the PVC, the president said: “all registered Nigerians must get voters cards before the commencement of the general election. Some governors are complaining that they are yet to get their PVC. If governors are yet to get their voters cards, of course, that means that so many Nigerians are yet to get and people are a bit worried.
“But to me, I am quite pleased not pleased in the negative sense, the awareness that has come on board that Nigerians want to have their voters cards.
“Before 2011, how many Nigerians complained about not having voters card because elections were not conducted with voter cards.
“We are all adults in Nigeria and we knew what was happening. But some people came on board and sanitised electoral process but others want to take the glory.
“We have to commend ourselves, that today ordinary Nigerians, religious leaders and business men are complaining ‘I want my voter card.’ Nobody talked about that before 2011.
“So, the chairman of INEC, luckily you are here, all Nigerians must get voters cards. We cannot conduct an election where some people will not have the rights to vote.
“People must decide who rule them at all levels- the State Assembly elections, House of Representatives, Senate and presidency. All Nigerians must vote and INEC must do everything possible to make sure that all Nigerians have their PVC,” Jonathan stated.
Responding, Professor Jega assured the president that every registered Nigerian would get his or her PVC before the first election.
Source: ‪#‎Tribune‬ News.