7th November, 2014
Okafor Ofiebor/Port Harcourt
For the second time in Rivers state, the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, has again postponed the issuance of Permanent Voters Card (PVC) and the registration of new voters scheduled to commence on Friday 7 November in seven local government areas.
Governor Rotimi Amaechi had earlier declared today Friday 7 November,a work-free day to enable workers in the affected seven local government areas to participate in the exercise.
However, few hours after Governor Amaechi declared work-free day and urged Rivers people to obtain their PVC, Mrs Thelma Iremiren, INEC Federal Commissioner in charge of Akwa-Ibom and Rivers states announced the shift in date from Friday November 7 to November 28, so they could tidy up its logistics so that the Commission will conduct the exercise in the 23 local government areas in the state at the same time.
In his reaction Tony Okocha, the Chief of Government House said although the state governor had declared today work free day for the exercise, the state government will abide by INEC’s decision because the Commission may be wanting to do what is right to ensure Rivers people freely choose their leaders next year.