Court adjourns judgement on PVC issuance
Chima Azubuike
The Federal High Court sitting in Kano, has fixed 27th January, 2021 for the judgement, in a suit filed by one Amb. Nworisa Michael (claimant), against the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) of Kano State both sued as 1st and 2nd Defendants respectively.
Recall that the claimant is a Civil right and youth Activist, who encouraged many youths prior to the 2019 general elections to exercise their franchise and decide who will lead the country in various elective positions. He was one of the pioneers of the Vote Not Fight, Election No Be War and the 9ja Votes campaigns in Kano State.
However, he said he was not issued his Permanent Voter Card (PVC), adding that it denied him his right to vote as a Nigerian youth.
The claimant instituted the action via originating summons wherein he is seeking for a Declaration of the Honourable Court;
To instruct the Independent National Electoral Commission to issue him his Permanent Voter Card and to publicly apologize in two national dailies to all Nigerians whom were disenfranchised in same manner.
Barr. Hassan Aminu Counsel to the defendants; Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the Resident Electoral Commissioner Kano State who pleaded the court to strike out the case, stated that the commission was only empowered to issue Permanent Voter Cards to registered electorates found on their Voter register.
However, he didn’t deny the issuance of the Temporary Voter Card to the claimant but only stated that the, “claimant is not a registered voter”. And in like manner “didn’t also state that the claimant’s Temporary Voter Card isn’t their document, nor that it was forged or fake.”
The claimant, Michael through his counsel Barr. Tosin Deyon Kudofonke insisted that; “it was the non-diligence of the Defendants that led to the absence of his name and details on the Voter register and that it was the duty of the 1st and 2nd Defendants to explain why his name is not on the Voter’s register as he was issued with a Temporary Voter Card.”
The case was then adjourned for the 27th January 2021.
