Governor of Plateau State, Jonah David Jang said he has dragged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to court over skewed distribution of Permanent Voters Cards (PVCs) to his state, and warned INEC not to destroy the hard-earned democracy.

Speaking with newsmen in Jos, Jang, who expressed disappointment with the poor distribution of the card in his state and other parts of the country, noted that the issue has started generating controversy among political parties, especially between the ruling party and the main opposition party.

“If these elections were held on the 14th of February, can we sincerely say INEC was ready? There are several areas in Plateau State that have not received their PVC; not that these PVCs are in Abuja, but based on what I have been told, they have not been printed.

Governor of Plateau State, Jonah David Jang said he has dragged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to court over skewed distribution of Permanent Voters Cards (PVCs) to his state, and warned INEC not to destroy the hard-earned democracy.

Speaking with newsmen in Jos, Jang, who expressed disappointment with the poor distribution of the card in his state and other parts of the country, noted that the issue has started generating controversy among political parties, especially between the ruling party and the main opposition party.

“If these elections were held on the 14th of February, can we sincerely say INEC was ready? There are several areas in Plateau State that have not received their PVC; not that these PVCs are in Abuja, but based on what I have been told, they have not been printed.

“What is the guarantee that these PVCs would get to Nigeria before 8th of March deadline for collection? Honestly, we appreciated Professor Attahiru Jega when he conducted the 2011 elections, but whether some people are sabotaging him and he is not aware of this, only God in heaven knows.

“But when these PVCs came to Jos North, one section got theirs and other did not, in Jos south the same thing happened, and indeed other places.”

Jang, who said he has gone to court to compel INEC to allow usage of Temporary Voters Cards (TVCs) if the commission is unable to provide the PVCs, added that he would announce to the people of his state to go to their respective polling centres with their TVCs if the commission is unable to provide their PVCs before the March 8th deadline date for collection.

“I have even gone to court to allow usage of Temporary Voter Card; INEC should allow this because they cannot deprive my people of voting; it is not their fault that the commission did not print their cards. We used this temporary voter cards for 2011 elections, we have used them for by-elections and local government elections here in Plateau State without any problem. So I am advocating for its use if by March 8th my people have not receive their PVC. I am going to make an announcement that anybody with Temporary Voters Card should go to polling units and vote.

“Let me encourage my people that they would vote, except if the elections would not hold. And no electoral officer will stop them if they go to vote with their Temporary Voters Cards. Their names and passports are in the register; they didn’t steal the TVCs. So, as far as I am concerned, they are legal tender, except when they’ve been exchanged for Permanent Voter Cards.”

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Jang Drag INEC to Court over PVCs distribution