Be Patient With INEC, Ribadu Urges Nigerians

Some Nigerians have called on the Federal Government to declare a public holiday to enable civil servants register in the on-going voters’ registration.

Those he spoke to complained of the great difficulty they have gone through while trying to register.

They complained of delays, none availability of registration materials, inadequate number of the Direct Data Capture (DCC) machines, and the inconvenience of leaving their offices during work hours to go and join the long queues at the registration centres.

Miss Ibukun Marshall, a civil servant, said she has been leaving her office for the past two days and is yet to get registered.

“I just want the government to declare holidays so that I and my colleagues can register where we live,” she said.

“It won’t be good for us to register near our offices, as there will be no movement on the election days.”

“I came here since 5.30 am and this is twenty-five minutes to two (o’clock),” said Baba-Saleh Musa, a potential voter, at the Wuse 2, Abuja.

“I am Number 50 on the queue and so many people are still ahead of me.

“I want INEC to add another machine here so that everybody can register.”

However, Mallam Ribadu asked Nigerians to endure and register to vote.

He praised the patience and tenacity exhibited by the electorates to get registered, despite the hardships they have to overcome

“It is very important and very necessary for our people to get a chance to register and vote. Please, make the sacrifice. Do not get angry. Have patience. Electing credible leaders is what is going to change our country. It is encouraging to see the large crowds at the registration centres, eager and willing to vote.”

He said he has seen the efforts made by INEC and understands their challenges.

He said he expects the lessons learnt to be used in the days before the end of the process.

“Of course, we all have challenges and difficulties, but it is our ability to get up, confront and solve them that matters.

“INEC should move the DDC machines from the rural areas where registration has been completed to the urban areas. This is because, everywhere you go in the cities, there is always a large crowd waiting to be registered.

“INEC must ensure that every single eligible Nigerian is given the chance to be registered.”

On the agitation for the holiday declaration, Mallam Ribadu said, “I hope the federal government is listening to the cries and wishes of ordinary Nigerians, requesting that a public holiday be declared to allow people to register.”