The presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP), Peter Obi, has explained why universities should allow over three million Nigerian students to vote in the forthcoming presidential election.
Obi said about 3.5 million students may not exercise their voting right if at least one week’s holiday is not given to enable them to return to their area of registration.
The former Anambra State governor stated this during a meeting with observers from the European Union, Election Observation Mission (EU-EOM).
He said: “I am sure the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) will do the right thing. I am sure the universities will give them the break to go and vote. It is important because it is about their future this election is about these young people and I’m sure they will allow them to go and vote. We will continue to mention it to them as we go along.”
Obi also expressed worry over the inability of some Nigerians in a few states, particularly in Lagos State, to collect their Permanent Voters Cards (PVCs).
The LP candidate said: “For me now, what is important is ensuring that people collect their PVCs. There are some areas where people are still complaining that they are being denied their PVCs for one reason or the other. INEC must give them attention.
“I must give INEC credit for extending the date for the collection of PVC but again I urge them to ensure that people collect their PVC. This election is very important to Nigerians. It is an existential election. We want all those that have registered to participate.”
The LP National Chairman, Julius Abure said the youth has a stake in the coming election they are the ones that bear the brunt of maladministration. He said: “When the voter registration was ongoing, most of the university students were at home and they did their registration at home.
“Right now they are in school and if they remain in school during the election, it means they will be denied the opportunity to vote. So we are asking that a one-week break should be given as a holiday to enable them to go and vote. You would have excluded them, if they have their PVC and are not in the place where they can use it to vote.”