Media Relations Consultant, Chief Dr Fidel Onyeneke, has urged Nigerians to collect their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) ahead of the forthcoming general elections, warning that failure to do so could undermine electoral participation.
Onyeneke made the appeal in Owerri on Monday while reacting to the ongoing PVC collection exercise in different parts of Imo State. He said the success of elections depended partly on citizens’ willingness to participate in the electoral process.
He expressed concern over the reluctance of many eligible voters to collect their cards, stressing that possession of a valid PVC is essential for exercising the right to vote under Nigeria’s current electoral framework.
The media consultant commended the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for decentralising PVC collection centres to wards and polling units, saying the move would make it easier for eligible voters to obtain their cards.
However, he urged INEC to make PVC collection a continuous exercise to accommodate more prospective voters and improve access to the electoral process.
Onyeneke argued that refusing to vote was not an effective way for citizens to express dissatisfaction with poor governance. Instead, he said, voters should participate in elections and support candidates they believe can improve the political system.
He also urged wealthy individuals, traditional rulers, community leaders, political parties and non-governmental organisations to intensify public sensitisation campaigns to encourage eligible voters to collect their PVCs.
Onyeneke warned that widespread voter apathy could weaken citizens’ influence over the country’s political future, stressing that elections remain a critical avenue for holding elected officials accountable.
He maintained that every eligible voter who fails to participate forfeits an opportunity to shape governance and influence decisions affecting society. He added that national development requires citizens to move beyond complaints about poor leadership and actively engage in the democratic process.
