UMEH COMMENDS INEC OVER VOTERS' REGISTRATION

By Vincent Ujumadu
NATIONAL chairman of All Progressives Grand Alliance, APGA, Chief Victor Umeh, has commended chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, Prof Attahiru Jega, for responding quickly to the problems that arose at the commencement of the on-going nationwide voter registration.

According to him, Jega's response shows that there is hope for free and credible election in April this year.

Addressing reporters after registering with members of his family at Aguluizigbo, Anaocha local government area of Anambra State at the weekend, Umeh said with the determination of INEC to meet the yearnings of Nigerians, it was left for those eligible to vote to ensure that they registered to be able to elect leaders of their choice in April this year.

It took the APGA national chairman about three minutes to register, while each of the six voting units in the community were recording an average of 50 persons daily.

'What we have seen shows that INEC means business. Having tackled the problem that arose at the beginning of the registration, which almost threatened to mar the exercise, every eligible voter should ensure that he or she obtains the card that will empower him or her to vote during the election.

'The card is the weapon with which the electorate goes to war and the task of electing people who can meet the needs of Nigerians must be accomplished.

'With the sincerity demonstrated by the present INEC leadership, Nigerians should not let the opportunity slip by.

'We are also happy that the federal government has shown commitment to the success of the exercise as President Goodluck Jonathan has also given an indication that there might be an extension of time to ensure that areas of complaints are fully addressed,' Umeh said.

According to him, one week extension would be enough to enable those who would not be able to register within the 15 days to do so, considering that some days were lost initially.

He added that if that was done, nobody would complain of being disenfranchised.