Alafin of Oyo raises alarm, says INEC about to disenfranchise his subjects

Admin l Friday, Feb. 08, 2019

OYO, Ibadan, Nigeria – The Alafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi  Adeyemi has raised the alarm, warning of attempt to disenfranchise his subjects from carrying out their legitimate duty to freely elect their representatives.

In a press statement, the Alafin said barely eight days to the election, there are complaints in Oyo metropolis which have come to his notice, fuelling speculation that thousands of eligible voters might not be able to exercise their franchise.

He said officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission(INEC) is not issuing the Permanent Voters Cards(PVCs) to the electorates.

“There is a great possibility of disenfranchisement of Thousands of eligible voters due to the non issuance of the PVC to the voters who have previously registered by the INEC at the various centers in Atiba, Oyo East, Oyo West local governments respectively in Oyo metropolis”, he said.

“Unless something is urgently done by the INEC Headquarters thousands of eligible voters are sure to be disenfranchised for no fault of their own”, he said.  The Alaafin of Oyo, is appealing to the governor of Oyo state that he should use his good offices to ensure that the good people of Oyo Metropolis are not disenfranchised.

The Alaafin lamented that during the registration exercise he personally provided computers, laptops, and generator sets and fuel to assist the INEC officials in the various INEC registration centres.

“The eligible voters in Oyo Metropolis will be greatly disenfranchised and that will affect the electoral value of Oyo people who have long been desirous of voting at the general elections but the non availability of PVC after they have been issued the temporary voters card which will not be usable at the polls.

“It is however unfortunate that even Ayabas, palace aides and their families and a large number of eligible voters will be disenfranchised if the date of collection of PVC for the forthcoming election remains as it is 8th of February, 2019”, he said.

PRESS RELEASE

UPROAR IN OYO OVER NON ISSUANCE OF PVCs as ALAAFIN WARNS INEC AGAINST DISENFRANCHISEMENT

With barely 8 days to the commencement of the general elections, there are complaints in Oyo metropolis which have come to the notice of the Alaafin of Oyo; that there is a great possibility of disenfranchisement of Thousands of eligible voters due to the non issuance of the PVC to the voters who have previously registered by the INEC at the various centers in Atiba, Oyo East, Oyo West local governments respectively in Oyo metropolis.

Unless something is urgently done by the INEC Headquarters thousands of eligible voters are sure to be disenfranchised for no fault of their own. The Alaafin of Oyo, is appealing to the governor of Oyo state that he should use his good offices to ensure that the good people of Oyo Metropolis are not disenfranchised.

The Alaafin lamented that during the registration exercise he personally provided computers, laptops, and generator sets and fueling to assist the INEC officials to the various INEC registration center.

The eligible voters in Oyo Metropolis will be greatly disenfranchised and that will affect the electoral value of Oyo people who have long been desirous of voting at the general elections but the non availability of PVC after they have been issued the temporary voters card which will not be usable at the polls.

It is however unfortunate that even Ayabas, palace aides and their families and a large number of eligible voters will be disenfranchised if the date of collection of PVC for the forthcoming election remains as it is 8th of February, 2019.

Following uproar from eligible voters in Oyo metropolis who besieged the palace, the Alaafin Media Crew consequently visited INEC offices in Atiba, Oyo East, Oyo West local government to ascertain the veracity of the people’s complaints.

Though electoral officers of the three INEC offices could not be met as at press time, as they were said to be away on official assignments. Other officials met declined comments, saying they were not competent to speak on the matter.

However, His Imperial Majesty, Oba (Dr) Lamidi Olayiwola Adeyemi III, (J.P, C.F