Abia State Governor, Dr Okezie Ikpeazu, yesterday, approved today and tomorrow as public holidays in the state to compel/enable registered voters collect their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) in readiness to vote in the forthcoming general elections.
The governors’ approval, announced by the Secretary to the State government (SSG), Chris Ezem, directed all public institutions, offices and markets to be closed on the two days, except banks and persons on essential duties.
The state government enjoined registered voters without PVCs to use the two days to visit INEC offices or collection centres, where they registered, to collect their PVCs ahead of January 29 deadline set by INEC for closure of PVC collection.
“Executives of various markets in the state are directed to ensure strict compliance on the closure of markets or be prepared to face appropriate sanctions. Banks and those on essential duties are not affected by this directive,” the SSG stated.
However, the directive has been criticiced in some quarters accusing the state government of deliberately imposing the two days holidays to scuttle the scheduled All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential campaign rally in Umuahia, the state capital.
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