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  • How to Elect Your Next Local Government Chairman

    March 18, 2023, marked the official end of the governorship and state assembly elections, and so far, many lessons have been learnt. 

    Local government LGA Chairman election

    Unfortunately, for many people, the conduct and results of these elections have further made them lose faith in Nigeria’s electoral process. Some people have resorted to burning their Nigerian passports and Permanent Voter Card (PVC) to show their disappointment in the system. 

    But, we should hold onto hope as we can bring about the change we want, and the best place to start this is at the grassroots level. 

    The local government, also called the grassroots government, is the first medium of bringing democracy to the people. It’s one of the most effective ways to build trust between the government and citizens; to create a system that works. 

    Nigeria has 774 Local Government Areas (LGAs), each headed by an elected Chairman, and it’s time that we give these elections as much attention as we would the presidential and state elections. Why? The LGA is directly responsible for many utilities that affect our quality of life, for instance, the construction and maintenance of roads. 

    Also read: What Are the Functions of the Local Government in Nigeria?

    And you might not know this, but elections for the LGA Chairmanship are conducted not by The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) but by the State’s Electoral Commissions. 

    The State governments determine the election cycles for the LGAs.

    Local government LGA Chairman election

    So, what is the procedure for electing an LGA Chairman?

    Eligibility of the candidate

    To contest for the seat of Chairmanship for an LGA, you must be: 

    • At least 25 years of age
    • Have a Senior Secondary School Certificate (SSCE) or its equivalent
    • Be a member of a political party and be sponsored by it also.
    • Pay a non-refundable sum of ₦200,000 to the State Commission 
    • Be a registered voter with a copy of your PVC as issued by INEC
    • Have evidence of tax payment as far back as three years before the election year

    The following things can disqualify you from contesting for the seat the LGA Chairman: 

    • According to Section 28 of the Nigerian constitution, you’ll be declared ineligible if you’ve voluntarily acquired citizenship of a country other than Nigeria.
    • If you’re a member of a secret society
    Local government LGA Chairman election
    • If you’ve been declared mentally unstable under any law in any part of Nigeria
    • If you’ve been given the death sentence by any Nigerian court or tribunal
    • If you’ve been declared bankrupt under any law in force in any part of Nigeria
    • If you’ve been dismissed from the Public Service of the local, state or federal government.

    Candidate nomination

    It’s not enough that you’re eligible to contest for the Chairmanship of an LGA. You must be nominated, in writing, by 20 registered voters from all wards in your constituency. 

    Also, the nomination form must be submitted 20 days before the election date at the place appointed by the State Commission.

    Appointment of electoral officers

    As in the previously conducted presidential and state elections on February 25 and March 18, 2023, electoral officers will be appointed to coordinate the state commission’s activities in each LGA. Ad-hoc staff such as Returning Officers, Poll Clerks, Presiding Officers and many more will also be appointed for the smooth running of the polls.

    Voter Eligibility

    To be eligible to vote, you must:

    • Have a PVC
    • Be a registered voter in the constituency or ward of the LGA

    On the day of the election, you’ll once again be accredited using the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS), after which you’ll be given a ballot paper to cast your vote. 

    Election and declaration of the winner

    If only one candidate is nominated, the Commission extends the nomination time by seven days. However, a poll will be conducted if no other person steps forward. But this time, instead of voting for political parties, the ballot would be either “Yes” or “No”; if the candidate has more yes votes, they would be declared the winner. 

    But in situations with more than one nomination, the candidate with the majority votes, and at least 25% in at least two-thirds of the wards, will be declared the winner. 

    So, while our spirits may be low right now with grassroots politics, we still have a fighting chance to birth the kind of Nigeria we want. 

    Tolu Omotesho

    , , , ,
  • Don’t Throw Away Your PVCs Yet. Here’s Why

    Millions of Nigerians, us included, believed the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) when it said it would adhere strictly to the Electoral Act, deploy the use of the BVAS and upload results in real-time to the INEC Result Viewing Portal (IReV). 

    [INEC chair Mahmood Yakubu / Punch]

    What played out was the opposite. Across the country, results were not uploaded in real time as promised. Nine days after the general elections, results are still being uploaded to IReV, calling INEC’s competence and integrity to question as it has already declared a winner.

    INEC’s failings have led to an atmosphere of distrust and may have the effect of creating voter apathy. There’ve even been reports of people destroying their Permanent Voters’ Cards (PVC). 

    https://twitter.com/youngskidmusic/status/1630697781957476356

    Destroying your PVC is the wrong approach. In a few hundred words, we hope to convince you why you should still use your PVC to vote on March 11.

    You are in the majority

    There’s a common expression, “majority carries the vote.” It means that in a democracy, the people’s choice of a leader should reflect whoever gathers the most votes. While the president-elect, Bola Tinubu of the All Progressives Congress (APC), has been declared the winner, the victory is disputed in court following protests by the opposition parties over election irregularities.

    [President-elect, Bola Tinubu]

    Opposition votes combined outnumber the winner by nearly 6 million. The importance of this should be evident. It sends a message that despite irregularities, the people can still have their say with their ballots. Abstaining from elections because they don’t go as planned is the equivalent of cutting your nose to spite your face. Remember, the matter is still in court. Whether you turn up or not, elections will proceed. 

    Higher voter turnout reduces the chances of rigging

    You’ve heard this one before, and it’s true. The more people turn out, the less likely the possibility of rigging elections. The saying that there’s strength in numbers carries more weight than you realise.

    The 2019 elections had a 35% voter turnout. This meant 65% of eligible voters didn’t vote. When INEC planned the election, it did so with the assumption that everyone would come out to vote. Millions of unused ballot papers are susceptible to manipulation when the majority don’t come out to vote.

    [Ballot papers / Guardian Nigeria]

    If, on the other hand, voter turnout is in the high eighties or nineties, there’ll be fewer available ballots to swing the election in favour of any one candidate.

    Higher voter turnout is also a thug’s nightmare. A determined voter populace keeping watch at their polling unit will be tough to intimidate because how many people you fit beat? Besides, citizens are better informed and prepared based on how things played out in the February 25 election. So don’t be afraid. Go out and vote.

    State elections are more important than you realise

    All eyes were on the February 25 elections, and understandably too. It’s the top job, and you want whoever gets that seat to merit it because leading Nigeria today is not a job for the fainthearted. 

    However, it’s a mistake to think it all starts and ends with who gets to be president. Arguably, governorship elections are just as important. Your governor can wake up one morning and ban okadas rendering thousands of people jobless. Governors can increase tuition fees of state universities on a whim. They can decide that local government elections won’t hold.

    They are also, as we’ve seen now, very capable of using the powers of their office to sway elections in “interesting” ways. As citizens, it’s in your best interest to vote for candidates not based on ethnic considerations but also based on their character and competence. If a candidate has a history of owing salaries or pensions, for example, a vote on March 11 will make clear that such impunities will no longer be tolerated. Coming out to vote on March 11 will send a message that citizens won’t be dissuaded.

    We’re all learning lessons from the conduct of our elections, but the critical point is that regardless of everything, you should come out to vote on March 11. It’s hard, but it’s necessary. You won’t get this chance again for another four years.

    Stephen Agwaibor

    , , ,

  • In case you missed it, February 5, 2023 was the “final” deadline for collecting permanent voters cards (PVC) ahead of the general election. The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) twice extended this deadline from January 22 to January 29 and, most recently, February 5. 

    It’s unclear if there might be another extension. So far, INEC has been silent on whether there’d be another extension, but word on the street is not many Nigerians are thrilled about this.

    [Crowd at a PVC collection centre in Abia state. The Sun]

    Citizen spoke to a couple of young Nigerians asking why they hadn’t gotten their PVCs, and we got some interesting responses ranging from apathy to frustration with the process. 

    [PVC collection survey summary. SBM Intelligence]

    Here’s what they said.

    Deborah*

    “I don’t have a personal voter’s card and did not register for one during the registration period. I suffer from an intense form of voter’s apathy, unconcerned about the electoral process and its likely outcomes. Perhaps, I hold a pessimistic attitude towards Nigerian elections, but I have no faith in the system to provide the leadership that Nigeria requires. 

    “I find all the candidates who are currently forerunners to be largely underwhelming. There’s the APC candidate with his failing health, there’s the PDP candidate clueless and capitalising on the goodwill from past positions held, and there’s the Labour Party’s candidate whose claim to fame is his appeal to millennial and Gen Z voters. 

    “If these are my options, I’d rather sit the elections out. Whatever the results — and it is one of the hardest to call in the history of elections in Nigeria —, we will live with the consequences. Above all, I pray for a peaceful transition of power. We deserve to catch a break.”

    Feyisayo

    “When the announcement first came out for PVC registration, I registered on my browser. I even asked around about how to go about it and in the beginning I was dedicated towards getting my PVC. I was in Akure when I started my registration. 

    “Unfortunately I wasn’t sure where I’d be during the election period, I had relocated to Lagos and had to think about the process involved with transferring my PVC or even registering again at another local government. I settled for Kosofe local government at the time. I took time off work to go there to register. 

    “The INEC officials had given me an exact date to come around and I thought it would be better organised because I had an appointment. But when I got there, I saw a crowd of people. I was like, ‘no way.’ The last time I did this was during NYSC and I’m not subjecting myself to this hassle without knowing anybody at INEC. That was basically what discouraged me. I don’t think I waited more than 30 minutes before I went back home.

    “Now though, I kinda regret it. I feel bad and maybe I should’ve waited for a few hours to get my PVC.”

    Vera

    “God knows I tried. I couldn’t get my PVC because it wasn’t found physically at the INEC office even though it reflected on INEC’s portal that it was available. Between November and February I went to their office in Oshodi ten times. Of course I feel bad I couldn’t get my PVC but I know I tried my best so my conscience is clean.”

    Tolu

    “After I finished my online registration I was supposed to go to the local government office on a given day. Unfortunately, I couldn’t go and I just lost track of the whole thing. The process seemed too complicated and wasn’t easy so I just didn’t bother anymore. I don’t feel anyhow about not getting my PVC. I don’t know if that’s the right answer but I just don’t feel anything.”

    Korede

    “I registered online early last year in Abeokuta. I went to the INEC office once to ask about my PVC. They told me it wasn’t ready. I asked a contact at their office to help me confirm the status of my PVC and he kept telling me it wasn’t ready. I was surprised, how can it not be ready? I’ve registered since. I feel bad that I wasn’t able to get my PVC but life goes on. We go still vote, anyhow.”

    * Respondent chose to remain anonymous

    Are you signed up for our Game of Votes newsletter yet? We help you make sense of news jargon and keep you up-to-date, especially with election news. Make the subscription of a lifetime here.

    Stephen Agwaibor

    ,
  • The “No PVC, No Entry” Rule is Illegal

    In the past seven and a half years, Nigerians have seen things go from bad to beyond worse. It’s unbelievable that a few years back, we could buy spaghetti for ₦120 or sliced bread for ₦250. 

    This situation is motivating voter turnout for the 2023 elections. There have been many sensitisation efforts encouraging people to pick up their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) because they won’t be able to vote without them.  

    Recently, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) announced the final dates for PVC collection to be from January 25-29, 2023. This announcement motivated people sounding the alarm for PVC collection. However, some of the methods employed recently to encourage people to collect their PVCs infringe on their fundamental human rights. 

    What’s happened now?

    On January 26, 2023, a video surfaced on the internet where people – traders and customers without their PVCs were denied entry into the electrical section of the Alaba International Market, Lagos.

    An eyewitness explained that the market leaders planned it to ensure everyone went out to vote in the forthcoming elections. Although their enthusiasm can be applauded, it doesn’t change the fact that we’re in a democracy, and people have the choice of whether or not to vote. They can’t and shouldn’t be coerced into it. 

    PVC Alaba Entry human rights violates

    Here are some fundamental rights being violated:

    Rights to freedom of movement

    According to the 1999 constitution (as amended), except for people suspected of or have committed a criminal offence, every Nigerian is free to move freely throughout the country. And barring them from entering anywhere because they don’t have a PVC directly infringes on this right. 

    Freedom of opinion and expression

    Although the best thing for the country would be voter participation,, some Nigerian citizens do not believe in voting for personal or religious reasons. And they are 100% entitled to their beliefs and opinions. Everyone has the freedom to hold opinions without interference and to seek, receive and impart information as long as it doesn’t amount to treason. 

    While trying to protect our democracy, we should respect other people’s opinions and not turn into the monsters we’re fighting. Additionally, you can be sentenced to imprisonment or made to pay heavy fines if prosecuted for these infringements. 

    PVC Alaba Entry human rights violates

    Are you signed up for our Game of Votes newsletter yet? We help you make sense of news jargon and keep you up-to-date, especially with election news. Make the subscription of a lifetime here

    Starting next week (January 31st, 2023)

    Tolu Omotesho

    , , ,
  • INEC Has Extended PVC Collection to January 29. Here’s Why

    If you have registered for your Permanent Voter’s Card (PVC) but there has been no time to pick it up, we bring good tidings. The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has pushed the deadline for PVC collection from January 22 to January 29, 2023! This was announced by the INEC National Commissioner, Festus Okoye, in a statement released on January 12, 2023.

    But why was the deadline extended? 

    INEC gave two specific reasons why they gave Nigerians more time to get their PVCs. They are:

    Massive Voter Turnout 

    Since January 6, the number of voters who have collected their PVCs has risen dramatically to as high as 100,000.

    The deadline extension is simply a pat on the head for the turnout of Nigerians so far in collecting their PVCs. It is also a gesture to encourage defaulters to pick theirs.

    To investigate extortion by officials

    Asides giving Nigerians a second chance, Okoye has decided to use the extension to play ‘Sherlock Holmes’. This is to fish out INEC officials guilty of demanding bribes from voters for PVC collection.

    According to Okoye, “the Commission is investigating allegations of extortion by officials at some of the collection centres and inducement by some unscrupulous voters to circumvent processes in order to obtain their PVCs. Those found culpable will face disciplinary action and/or prosecution.”

    INEC officials better watch their back now. Otherwise…

    How would the PVCs now be collected?

    Due to the deadline extension, a few things have changed about the timelines and locations for PVC collection:

    • PVC collection at the registration area (Ward) level is extended by one week from Monday 16th – Sunday 22nd January 2023.
    • PVC collection at the local government level will resume on Monday, 23rd – Sunday, 29th January 2023.

    How to pick up your PVC

    To make your PVC collection less stressful, we made a 4-step list of what you should do so you don’t have to:

    • Go to the state where you did your registration.
    • Locate the local government area (LGA), LGA code with the registration area name (RA Name and code), and the collection centre/ward. You can find the addresses of these wards here.
    • Show up at the collection centre with either your temporary voter card, photocopied driving license, photocopied National Identity Card or passport photo 
    • And voila! You now have your PVC to vote for your favourite candidate in February!

    Good luck!

    In our weekly newsletter, Game of Votes, we write the news and track the 2023 election coverage for citizens, by citizens. Make the subscription of a lifetime here.

    Chiamaka Dike

    , , ,

  • A happy new year to you all. While you’re adjusting to life after Detty December, now’s a good time as a registered Nigerian voter to make it your new year resolution to pick up your Permanent Voters Card (PVC), before January 22, 2023.

    What’s so special about that date? Well, that’s the last day set by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for anyone to get their PVCs, no extension. We did an explainer here on how to collect your PVC.

    That leaves you with just 18 days to get your PVC if you haven’t already. 

    Here are a few things to know.

    6.7 million PVCs are yet to be collected across 17 states.

    According to a report by Punch, 6.7 million PVCs are locked up in INEC safes across 17 states and the FCT. That’s a lot and INEC is begging you all to go and claim them. 

    On December 29, 2022, INEC disclosed that in Lagos State, 5,816,528 PVCs have been collected while 1,693,963 PVCs remain unclaimed. 

    In the same time period, Edo state had 661,783 voter cards uncollected. Ondo and Ekiti states had 300,000 and 205,127 unclaimed as at December 8. 

    Other states with a high number of unclaimed PVCs include Oyo, 700,000; Osun, 437,454; Kwara, 120,602; Ogun, 400,000; Cross River, 409,604; Kogi, 160,966; Imo, 300,000, Gombe, 231, 900; Anambra, 132,623; Niger,150,988 and over 200,000 in Adamawa. 

    Borno and Plateau States have had decent collection rates with only 80,117 and 49,000 PVCs unclaimed respectively.

    Ride hailing apps are offering 50% off on rides to and from PVC collection centres.

    If you’re in the urban centres of Lagos, Abuja and Port Harcourt, Uber is still in Detty December mood. 

    The ride hailing company is offering a 50 per cent discount on all rides to and from PVC collection centres in those locations. The promo commenced on December 15, 2022 and will continue for up to five weeks from that date. Rides are on weekdays, between 8 am and 5 pm.

    Between January 6 and January 15, PVCs can be picked up at RACs

    The way INEC has designed the collection process is to have PVCs picked up either in all the 774 INEC local government offices, or in the 8,809 registration area centres (RAC), aka wards, in the country. 

    From January 6 to January 15, 2023, PVCs will be available for collection at the RACs.  After then, pickup reverts to the LG offices till the deadline on January 22, 2023. A list of all RACs nationwide is available here. 

    So there really is no excuse for you. If you decide not to get your PVC because the process is “stressful”, then you’ve lost the right to complain if the wrong people take charge of Nigeria. Choose your stress wisely.

    Stephen Agwaibor

    , ,
  • What We Learned From the PVC Registration Drive Now That It’s Over

    The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has finally suspended the Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) for Permanent Voter’s Card (PVC) after 13 months. 

    The CVR resumed in June 2021 to give millions of Nigerians the opportunity to register as new voters ahead of the 2023 general elections and millions turned up. 

    PVC registration in Nigeria

    The registration exercise finally closed on July 31st, 2022 after a dramatic final few weeks, involving a court case to extend it — which was dismissed in favour of INEC. Here are the most important things we learnt.

    Nigerian youths are serious

    By the time the CVR was suspended, INEC had registered a total of 12.3 million new voters in 13 months. 

    — 8.8 million of the new voters are young people aged between 18 and 34 years old. 

    — 4.5 million of total new registrants are students, many of whom are currently affected by the closure of universities due to the strike by the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU). 

    PVC registration in Nigeria

    Nigerian youths are often accused of going missing in the electoral process but the number of young, newly-registered voters may suggest a change in the tide. All that’s left is to receive their PVCs and show up for the elections.

    Digital technology makes things easier. Who knew?

    For the CVR exercise, INEC allowed new voters to apply online. This enabled applicants to pre-register and book appointments for a later date to complete registration at INEC centres. The online portal remained open for a year and gave many Nigerians a chance to start their registration process from the comfort of their homes. 

    Like this

    The ease of registration was pivotal to getting many people to register early for the process. This speaks volumes about how much more INEC needs to involve the use of technology in the electoral process to make it more seamless. Nigerians want things to be more accessible and we can’t blame them.

    Online registrants dozed off

    Despite the use of the online portal, a great percentage of Nigerians who started their registration online didn’t complete it. INEC received a total of 10.5 million online applications from new voters, but only 3.4 million completed the process for their PVCs. 

    It means Nigeria could have seven million more new voters right now if people who began the process online, left the comfort of their homes to complete the biometrics capture at INEC stations. Or could it just be because of the manpower issues INEC failed to address at physical locations?

    INEC needs to be protected

    Generally, Nigeria has a worrying security crisis on its hands, so it’s no surprise that it also touched INEC and the PVC registration process. Gunmen killed an INEC official during an attack on a centre in Imo State in April 2022. They also warned people to stop registering for PVCs, threatening that there’ll be no election. 

    The attack resulted in the suspension of PVC registration in the affected area and was one of the black marks on the CVR exercise in a long line of aggression against the electoral process. INEC has suffered 41 attacks spread across 14 states, since 2019, and remains a target for non-state actors.

    PVC registration in Nigeria

    The government needs to provide more security cover for Nigerians going into the general elections to instill confidence in the process.

    The number of new voters still short of expectations

    The demand for PVCs ahead of the 2023 elections has been described as unprecedented, but the numbers simply fail to back up the claim. 

    In 2021, INEC set a target to register 20 million new voters, but the final tally of 12.3 million (61.5%) new voters falls way off that target. It’s also less than the 14.2 million new voters who registered ahead of the 2019 general elections, although that CVR exercise lasted for a longer period — 15 months, as opposed to this period’s 13 months.

    The PVC registration process needs to be more effective

    PVC registration in Nigeria

    Despite INEC’s best efforts, many problems plagued the CVR exercise during its 13-month run. There were periods when centres were overrun by enthusiastic applicants without adequate manpower and resources to deal with them. Many critics have also expressed disdain towards the 13-month timeline of the exercise. 

    With PVC registration now suspended seven months before the election, tens of thousands of Nigerian youths who turn 18 before the next general elections will be disenfranchised.

    INEC’s excuse is that it needs a lot of time to process applications and deliver PVCs to applicants before the elections, but that’s simply not good enough in 2022. The process has to become more efficient to cater to as many eligible Nigerians as possible.

    Our message to INEC:

    ALSO READ: A Reminder That 2023 Is Not Just About Who Becomes President

    Samson Toromade

    , , , ,
  • PVC Registration in Numbers, So Far

    The permanent voter’s card (PVC) has become a household name in Nigeria over the past few months. It may be just a regular plastic card but it’s the only tool Nigerians have to choose their leaders. And with the 2023 general elections only eight months away, it’s almost impossible to survive a full 24 hours without hearing about the PVC.

    Eligible Nigerians need to register for PVC to vote

    The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) resumed the continuous voter registration (CVR) exercise in June 2021 for new voters. This allows eligible Nigerians who are 18 and above to register to vote. The CVR also allows those with damaged cards and other card problems to rectify their issues before next year’s polls.

    The deadline for the CVR exercise was initially set for June 30th, 2022 but was recently extended without a definite date.

    We decided to look at all the important numbers one year since the CVR started. These figures are based on INEC’s update of June 27th, 2022.

    8.6 million new voters

    A total of 8,631,698 people have completed their PVC registration nationwide since June 2021. They will join the other 84 million voters that were on the register for the 2019 general elections.

    6 million youths will vote for the first time

    Out of the 8.6 million new voters, 6,081,456 of them are young people between the ages of 18 and 34. This voting demography is followed by 1,748,993 middle-aged new voters between 35 and 49 years of age and 703,968 elderly voters between 50 and 69.

    97,279 people who are 70 and above will also vote for the first time.

    3.1 million student voters

    3,084,924 of the 8.6 million that are fully registered are students who’ll also get to vote for the first time.

    4.3 million female voters

    The gender distribution of new voters is almost evenly split, but there are slightly more women (4,339,006) than men (4,292,690). 

    Offline > Online

    The CVR started in June with an online pre-registration process, but more people started and completed their registration by going directly to INEC centres. Of the total 8.6 million that completed registration, only 3,250,449 started online. To put that in context, a total of 10,487,972 submitted online applications for PVCs since June 2021, leaving more than seven million yet to complete the process.

    Southern dominance

    States in the southern region have set the pace in online applications and the number of applications completed over the past year. These are the top five with completed applications:

    Delta — 396,900

    Kano — 380,582 

    Bayelsa — 379,438 

    Rivers — 372,406 

    Lagos — 371,760

    23.5 million online applications in total since 2021

    A total of 23,560,043 applications have been submitted on the INEC portal since June 2021. This figure includes applications for new PVCs, transfer of voting location, requests to replace damaged or lost PVCs or requests to update voter information records.

    PVC collection

    Those who registered between June and December 2021 are already cleared to collect their cards and those who have been registering since January will start collecting their cards in October 2022. Nigerians currently rushing to register for PVC are unlikely to start collecting their cards until January 2023. 

    Since it’s unclear when CVR will end, you should go to an INEC centre near you (only if you’re eligible, of course), and register to vote.

    ALSO READ: Zikoko’s Responsible Voter Starter Kit for 2023 Elections

    Samson Toromade

    , , ,
  • Tinubu’s Lie About PVCs Can Land You in Prison

    The campaign season for the 2023 elections in Nigeria isn’t even in full gear yet and presidential aspirant, Bola Tinubu, is already dominating the charts for the most public blunders. 

    The former Lagos State governor raised eyebrows in 2021 when he said he would solve unemployment with the recruitment of 50 million Nigerian youths into the Army.

    That’s a force large enough to fight 10 world wars

    Tinubu has also managed to call Dolapo Osinbajo, the wife of the vice president, the wife of the president and claimed Nigerian youths are “tweeting on WhatsApp”.

    While these blunders are harmless, entertaining fodder for online mockery, there’s another one Tinubu keeps repeating that could have dire consequences.

    Tinubu’s stubborn lie about PVCs

    At a consultation meeting in January 2022, Tinubu said the permanent voter cards (PVC) that Nigerians have had expired. He said it with the confidence of a man who knew what he was talking about. He further told his supporters to go back to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to register for new ones.

    Unsurprisingly, it turned out that he was saying nonsense. INEC quickly announced that PVCs don’t expire. It’s probably what the “permanent” in permanent voter cards means.

    Tinubu keeps making a false claim about the PVC

    Tinubu’s team immediately apologised for his blunder and that should have been the end of it. Except he’s struck again.

    At a campaign event in Lagos on April 16th 2022, Tinubu asked his supporters to make sure their PVCs haven’t expired. He told them to go revalidate their cards so that they can vote in the 2023 elections.

    ALSO READ: PVCs Are Coming! And New Voters Can Start Collecting Them, But…

    What does INEC think?

    INEC chairman, Mahmood Yakubu, announced on April 13th 2022 that 1,126,359 out of the 2,523,458 new applications for PVC between June and December 2021 were faulty. The cleanup of the data of registrants showed that 45 out of every 100 new applications in the six-month period were invalid.

    Tinubu keeps making a false claim about the PVC

    Yakubu offered two specific reasons for the trend: people who already registered but were registering for the second time and people who provided incomplete data and didn’t meet the criteria for registration.

    Registering more than once, like Tinubu keeps pushing, is an electoral offence punishable by one-year imprisonment, a fine of ₦100,000 or both. This is clearly stated in Section 23 of the Electoral Act 2022.

    Tinubu keeps making a false claim about the PVC

    What if I have a problem with my PVC?

    INEC has provided two reasons for why such a high number of people’s PVC registrations were invalid: ignorance or deliberate attempts to cheat the system. People engaging in the latter will smell jail if convicted, but people in the former simply need education.

    Tinubu keeps making a false claim about the PVC

    Listen carefully

    INEC’s message is clear: you don’t have to register for a PVC if you’ve already registered before. If you’ve had problems in the past with your PVC or fingerprint recognition during accreditation in any previous election, all you need to do is revalidate. A revalidation involves visiting a registration centre to recapture your fingerprints and picture.

    If your PVC is missing or defaced, your details need correction or you need to transfer your PVC location, you also don’t need to register from scratch. INEC has provided resources for solving those problems too, available on the commission’s online platform.

    The registration for PVC is for Nigerians who have clocked the age of 18 years and have never registered before. PVCs don’t expire.

    Don’t say you weren’t warned.

    If you’re not sure of your registration status, you can contact INEC’s Help Desk, social media handles or registration officers at the registration centres for guidance.

    What you shouldn’t do is listen to Tinubu.

    ALSO READ: Time Is Running Out for You to Register for Your PVC

    Samson Toromade

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  • PVCs Are Coming! And New Voters Can Start Collecting Them, But…

    More and more politicians are going to new heights to declare their intentions to run for office. Rotimi Amaechi ran a lap around a stadium to prove his fitness for office, and Adamu Garba II climbed a rock to declare for the presidency at a spot he said is the real centre of Nigeria. 

    It’s all so entertaining, but what about the voters?

    PVC collection

    What’s up with PVC registration?

    The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) resumed registration for Permanent Voter Card (PVC) in June 2021. The commission set a target to register 20 million new voters to add to the existing 84 million on the register of voters. The exercise was divided into four quarters:

    First Quarter – June 28th 2021 to September 21st 2021

    Second Quarter – October 4th 2021 to December 20th 2021 

    Third Quarter – January 3rd 2022 to March 22nd 2022

    4th Quarter – April 11th 2022 to June 30th 2022.

    As of the end of the third quarter, 4.4 million new voters had completed their PVC registration — only 22% of the target set by INEC. 

    PVC registration

    Eligible Nigerians who are 18 years old or older have only three months left to register for the card. But this article isn’t about them.

    ALSO READ: Time Is Running Out for You to Register for Your PVC

    I have registered. When can I get my card?

    PVC collection

    INEC announced on April 13th 2022 that 1,390,519 PVCs have been printed for new registrants. The commission also printed 464,340 PVCs for people who applied for transfer or replacement of cards. This means a total of 1,854,859 PVCs are now ready for collection from April 19th 2022.

    Who qualifies to collect PVC now?

    The current round of collection is for applicants who completed registration in the first and second quarters of the ongoing exercise. This means people who registered for new cards or applied for transfer or replacement between June 28th 2021 and December 20th 2021.

    INEC will contact them by email and text messages on the availability of the cards and the places to collect them. You can also verify your registration status here.

    What do I need to collect PVC?

    If you qualify for collection, you need to present your Temporary Voter Card (TVC) at the INEC centre to get your PVC.

    ALSO READ: How To Register For PVC Online In 7 Easy Steps

    There’s a little problem…

    It’s possible that you registered for PVC as a new voter between June and December 2021 but you won’t be getting your card. 

    PVC collection

    While INEC has printed 1.3 million PVCs for new voters, 2.5 million people actually registered within the period. The commission said 1,126,359 of the applications were ruled to be invalid. This represents 44% of the total number of registrations.

    This was due to a lot of reasons which include illegal double registration and incomplete data. The invalid registrants won’t be included in the register of voters.

    What’s the solution?

    Nigerians who are affected by this problem can contact INEC’s Help Desk, social media handles or registration officers at the registration centres for guidance on how to proceed.

    ALSO READ: Zikoko’s Responsible Voter Starter Kit for 2023 Elections

    Samson Toromade

    , ,
  • Time Is Running Out for You to Register for Your PVC

    The 2023 general elections are less than a year away and politicians have already started hustling to appear on the ballot. Aspirants for public office are buying nomination forms worth millions of naira, making campaign promises and producing painfully hilarious campaign jingles like this:

    While the politicians are already setting things in place, statistics are showing that voters are maybe not doing enough to prepare. 

    To vote in the election, every Nigerian of voting age needs a permanent voter card (PVC). It’s important. You can’t show up to a voting centre with your driver’s licence to vote.

    Time Is Running Out for You to Register for Your PVC

    At the end of the 2019 elections, Nigeria had 84 million people on the voters’ register. And when the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) resumed the PVC registration exercise in June 2021, it set a target to register 20 million new voters. 

    More than nine months into the registration exercise, only 4.4 million people have registered. That’s only 22% of the target set by INEC. More than three million have started their online registration but haven’t completed it yet.

    Time Is Running Out for You to Register for Your PVC

    Let’s run down a list of the most common questions about the registration process:

    When does registration end?

    The ongoing PVC registration exercise will be paused on June 30th 2022. Anyone that hasn’t registered for PVC by then won’t be able to vote in the 2023 general elections. The registration exercise also likely won’t resume until at least 2024.

    ALSO READ: How To Register For PVC Online In 7 Easy Steps

    What if I need to change my voting centre?

    INEC is also still processing other PVC-related issues including change of voting location and requests for new PVCs. You can start that process with an online application here. This will also be paused on June 30th.

    What if I can’t register online?

    Some people have experienced problems with completing their online registration. This shouldn’t stop you. If you’re affected by this, you can show up at a registration centre close to you to start the process there instead.

    ALSO READ: Don’t Fight Me, but This Is Why I Don’t Have a PVC

    I have registered but when do I get my PVC?

    INEC is yet to start printing PVCs for new voters. The agency has to clean up the registration process to ensure only genuine registrants are added to the voters’ register. When this is completed, INEC will announce the date new voters can start collecting their PVCs. 

    Why do I need to register for PVC?

    Voter turnout in Nigeria’s general elections has been dropping since 2003 even though the voters’ register has been increasing. This is due to a host of reasons including disorganisation, election violence, voter apathy and probably Desmond Elliot.

    But despite the disappointment Nigerians feel about the political class, voting at the ballot remains the most effective way for them to determine the future of the country. Getting as many people as possible to register and vote for the right candidates will determine how the country will deal with its many challenges.

    This is why it’s important that everyone that’s eligible to vote does so. It’s the part you have to play in the giant machine that is Nigeria.

    ALSO READ: Zikoko’s Responsible Voter Starter Kit for 2023 Elections

    Samson Toromade

    , ,
  • Don’t Fight Me, but This Is Why I Don’t Have a Permanent Voter Card (PVC)

    In 2021, INEC  set a target to register 20 million new voters before June 2022. But like the many times the government has promised better power supply, they’re nowhere near that target. As of March 2022, INEC only recorded 4.4 million registered voters since June 2021, only 22% of the 20 million target. So what’s going on? Why aren’t Nigerians registering to vote?  We asked Nigerians without PVCs to explain themselves.

    Please note: all the names affiliated with this article have been changed.

    Kemi: I’ve actually tried. Earlier this year, I registered online, but no one from my voting centre has contacted me to come and collect my PVC. 

    Salami: Kemi, shey at least you’ve registered? I started my registration online and went for my biometrics but the queue sent me back home. The whole place was crowded. I just postponed the whole thing abeg.

    Tejiri: The same thing happened to me in March. I was told to show up for my biometrics by 1 p.m., but I didn’t get my biometrics done until 4 p.m. Like, I left the queue to sort out an issue with my bank account at a GTB branch and went back to still meet the queue at the Abule Okuta centre in New Garage. And you know how long bank queues are. 

    Kemi: If you people know anyone from Kosofe Local Government Area, beg them to release my PVC.

    Lizzy: The online registration process is stressful because tell me why I haven’t been able to upload my passport.

    Kimi: Look at that. It’s kuku not only me. Every time I try to take a picture, it just shows me “invalid”. It’s quite annoying. Even when I try to add a picture from my gallery, the website rejects it. I don’t know if it’s a studio passport I’ll need to succeed at this point.

    RELATED:  How to Get Your Permanent Voters Card In 4 Simple Steps

    Kemi: Again, Kosofe Local Government I’ve tried my best, please. Help me help my country.

    Susan: LOL. Me and you both sis. I first registered in Ogun State, but I moved to Abuja and applied for a location change. Since January, not a word from either state.

    Ogundairo: I know you people didn’t call those of us with PVCs, but can we talk about how the voting itself is unnecessarily stressful? During the last election, I couldn’t even find a bike to my voting centre. No kekes, no bikes, nothing!

    Tunde: Broooo! 2019 was a big turn off for me to care about 2023. I lived in Isolo then, and there were gangs in certain areas harassing and attacking people they suspected to be Igbo. And it was all because they wanted them to vote for Buhari. I kuku stayed inside my house.

    Lizzy: You’re Igbo?  

    Tunde: No oh, but people always assume I am. So to be on the safe side, I stayed inside. 

    RELATED: Zoning: Who Do Nigerian Politicians Want as Buhari’s Successor?

    Rita: I tried registering and they told me to come back when I turned 18.

    Tejiri: I don’t get. How old are you?  

    Rita: 16. 

    Salami: ???  

    Rita: Doesn’t the country affect me too?  

    Tejiri: LOL. Nigeria isn’t running away. Enjoy being 16 sis.

    Salami: But does my vote really count? 2023 will just be another round of rigging.

    Amaka: Omo. I just need it for identification.

    Kimi: I understand what you guys mean, but how does “not voting” solve anything?  Any move these guys make affects everything. 

    Tunde: No problem. I’m sha travelling in 2023. I’ll see how it goes from the abroad.

    Ogundairo: Kemi, how far? We fit go Kosofe if you’re up for it.

    Kemi: Oya.

    ALSO READ: Zikoko’s Responsible Voter Starter Kit for 2023 Elections

    Ortega

    , , ,
  • Zikoko’s Responsible Voter Starter Kit for 2023 Elections

    Nigerians will go to the polls to elect a new president exactly one year from today on February 18, 2023 — if a zombie apocalypse doesn’t consume all life on earth before then.

    It’s a day that kicks off the 2023 elections and will define the country’s future for the next four years.

    Election season is serious business in Nigeria, and we’re slowly easing into it with all the drama around zoning, youth inclusion, and a pee scandal — but we don’t talk about the pee scandal.

    Bola Tinubu is one of the frontrunners for the 2023 Elections

    As a Nigerian of voting age, there’s a weight of responsibility on your shoulders that should be taken as seriously as signing a work contract.

    With one full year of preparation, what do you need to do between now and next February to make the best choice for yourself and the country?

    We’re here to help.

    Register for your PVC

    You need your PVC for active participation in the 2023 Elections

    A voter without a permanent voter card (PVC) is like a train without an engine.

    You can only remember where that tune is from if you’re at least 40 years old.

    If you’re over 18 years old or sure to turn 18 before June 2022, you should start the registration process for your PVC after reading this, if you haven’t.

    Nigeria has just over 84 million registered voters as of today, but the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) set a target in 2021 to register 20 million new voters before the continuous voter registration (CVR) exercise is paused in June 2022.

    With only four months to go, only about 3.1 million people have fully registered for their PVC.

    Only about 3.1 million new voters have registered for PVCs ahead of the 2023 Elections

    INEC is off its target by over 80%.

    The very first step to becoming a responsible voter is to arm yourself with the only thing that can make your voice heard.

    Dust your PVC

    A presidential aspirant that shall not be named recently goofed and told his supporters to go register for new PVCs because the ones they currently hold have expired.

    Bola Tinubu is one of the frontrunners for the 2023 Elections

    This guy, again.

    It’s the kind of broadcast message your aunty sends you at 4 am alongside Bible verses.

    But as you have already been told by INEC, that panic message is as true as bail is free.

    What we can advise is that you should make sure your PVC is in good working condition, or that you even still have it.

    If your PVC is lost or damaged or needs to have its records updated, this is the time to fix all that before the CVR is paused in June.

    Transfer to your closest location

    Nigerian voting laws are still Living in Bondage, which is why your PVC is only useful in the specific polling unit you are registered.

    If you have changed your residential location since the last election, it means you also have to transfer your PVC information to the nearest polling unit.

    INEC also created over 50,000 new polling units last year to move voting centres closer to the people.

    This means that even if you didn’t move locations, you can transfer your PVC record to a polling unit that’s possibly closer to you than before.

    You can start the transfer process here.

    Join a party

    This is not absolutely necessary to do as a voter, but it’s not the worst idea in the world.

    Find a party that aligns with your ideas, and contribute to its internal processes.

    Direct elections are likely to be popular ahead of the 2023 elections. This makes it possible for you to have a direct impact on what candidates your party presents for the elections.

    Pay close attention

    No one does election campaign drama better than Nigerian politicians. 

    They will do this again for the 2023 Elections

    They are proof that characters that have come to steal, kill, and destroy also have the audacity to be entertaining.

    Watch out for all the theatrics for the 2023 Elections

    Exhibit #94,906,949,305

    Campaign season means there’s a lot going on to sell you on candidates and what they’re capable of if elected. It’s all a game and you have to play.

    It’s your responsibility as a voter to open your eyes and ears to what they show and tell you.

    Try to learn as much as you can about candidates and what they stand for, stood for, and are capable of.

    Don’t fall for fake news, and don’t share fake news like your WhatsApp uncles and aunties.

    Don’t sell your vote. It’s an actual crime.

    Stick with us

    Zikoko Citizen will help you to navigate all the hard work needed to make the best choice for the 2023 elections.

    Only an informed voter can make an informed choice and we’re committed to helping you with that by cutting out the noise.

    Update

    INEC has announced a new date for the presidential election after the signing of the Electoral Act Amendment Bill into law.

    The new date is February 25, 2023.

    Samson Toromade

    , ,
  • Everything We Know About Tomorrow’s FCT Elections

    Election bells are ringing again, and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) is in the spotlight this time.

    Residents of Nigeria’s capital will get another chance to elect officials that promise to make their lives better, just like they promised before the last election and the ones before that. 

    What do you need to know?

    The February 12, 2022 elections are for the positions of chairman, vice-chairman, and councillors of the FCT.

    The capital city has six area councils. They are Abaji, Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC), Bwari, Gwagwalada, Kuje and Kwali.

    There are 62 wards littered across these councils, with 10 in each except for Abuja which has 12.

    FCT Elections take place on February 12, 2022

    Map of FCT [Research Gate]

    The FCT council elections are conducted every three years and the last happened in March 2019.

    Winners of tomorrow’s elections will be sworn in on May 19, 2022.

    Who’s in it? 

    In total, there are 68 positions up for grabs in the FCT elections, and 473 candidates scrambling to get a piece of the national cake.

    52 men and three women are gunning for the chairmanship positions, while 47 men and eight women want to fill the vice-chairmanship seats.

    110 candidates will battle for the chairmanship and vice-chairmanship positions in the FCT Elections

    Chairmanship and vice-chairmanship candidates for FCT elections [INEC]

    332 men and 31 women are also battling to become the chosen ones to start warming the councillorship seats by the time the elections are over.

    363 candidates will battle for the councillorship positions in the FCT Elections

    Councillorship candidates for FCT elections [INEC]

    There are over 1.3 million registered voters in the FCT to decide who gets what.

    What parties are involved? 

    All the candidates for the FCT elections are being sponsored by 14 parties in total.

    They are: Action Alliance (AA), African Action Congress (AAC), African Democratic Congress (ADC), Action Democratic Party (ADP), All Progressives Congress (APC), All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), Allied Peoples Movement (APM), Labour Party (LP), New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), National Rescue Movement (NRM), Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Peoples Redemption Party (PRP), Social Democratic Party (SDP) and Young Progressive Party (YPP).

    Why should you care?

    Local government elections are the most regularly ignored in Nigeria, sort of like the middle child.

    Despite how important councillors are to making sure people at the grassroots feel the impact of governance, voter turnouts are usually terrible.

    It is important that Nigerians exercise their rights to vote for the exact kind of leaders they want in office.

    So if you reside in the FCT and have a permanent voter card (PVC), you should vote.

    If you don’t have a PVC, you should plan for the future and start the registration process here.

    Samson Toromade

    ,
  • Everything We Know About The Elections In Lagos Tomorrow

    On Saturday, July 24, 2021, the Lagos State Independent Electoral Commission (LASIEC) will conduct an election to elect the next chairman and councillors in the 20 local government areas and the 37 local council development areas in the state. 

    Lagos elections

    Why should you care about this?

    Provisions in the 1999 constitution and the Electoral Act of 2010 say that citizens of Nigeria have the right to register as voters and vote for the candidates of their choice during election cycles. 

    Saturday’s election is happening because grassroots representation is important, which makes it more interesting. Nigeria operates a three-tier government system, and the local government is the closest to everyday Nigerians. The winners in Saturday’s polls will oversee the affairs of their respective local government and ensure its development during the time they are in office. That is, they will be in charge of everything you care about.

    What do you need to know about this election?

    For starters, the Lagos State government has announced a movement restriction that will last for seven hours on the day of the election. In a statement by Lagos State Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mr Gbenga Omotoso, the restriction will start at 8 a.m and end at 3 p.m.

    Part of the statement reads:

    “The restriction is to enable the Lagos State Independent Electoral Commission, LASIEC, to conduct hitch-free elections into positions of chairmen and councillors in all the 57 local government and local council development areas.”

    What does this mean for you?

    If you live in Lagos, you should consider staying at home between 8 a.m. and 3 p.m. Why is this important? It will allow ease of movement for people who want to go out to vote. Also, it will be easier for election officials to move the materials to the polling units where they are needed and allow for effective monitoring and security. 

    The sets of people this movement restriction doesn’t affect are election officials, press and medical personnel and other essential workers.

    I have a permanent voters card, what should I do?

    If you’re a registered voter with a permanent voters card, you should go out to vote. The Chairman of LASIEC, Justice Ayotunde Philips has expressed the commission’s readiness to conduct credible, free and fair elections. 

    Lagos elections
    Image source: Google

    Mrs Ayotunde says, “LASIEC, the body charged with the statutory responsibility of electoral management and administration, is committed to conducting a free, fair, credible and inclusive election.”

    Okay, cool. I have my PVC and I’m going out to vote. How does this work?

    The process is largely straightforward and can work in four or five simple steps. Let’s break it down :

    1. Find your polling unit: If you’re not sure where your polling unit is, this locator microsite from INEC might help you.
    1. Verify and authenticate your PVC: As part of the accreditation process, an election official, usually the Assistant Polling Officer (APO)  at the polling unit will ask for your permanent voters card and run it through a card reader configured for this purpose. The entire process will take between 10 and 20 seconds. Then you will be asked to do a biometrics verification to confirm that you’re the cardholder. Once you have been verified, you will be asked to proceed to the next stage. 
    1. Collect your ballot paper from the polling officer: The Polling Officer at your unit will give you the ballot paper and direct you to the voting booth.
    1. Vote for the candidate of your choice and cast your ballot 
    Lagos elections
    Image source: Google

    You can read more about the process here.

    That’s it. However, you should consider staying behind at the polling unit until voting has concluded. Take part in ballot counting and wait until the results of the polling unit are announced.

    I don’t have my voters card but I want to vote. Is there anything I can do?

    Sadly, you won’t be able to vote if you don’t have a permanent voters card. The good thing is that you can start the process of getting one today. If you’re not sure how to do it, this article is a good place to start. 

    Read more articles like this here.

    Toheeb Lanlehin

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  • The 10 Stages Of Becoming A Nigerian Politician

    Becoming a Nigerian politician is a long and tedious process many people are unwilling to go through. But we’ve hacked it for you and broken it down into these 10 simple steps so that you can become a Nigerian politician and start living your best life.

    1. You have to start by becoming a political activist.

    Call out corrupt politicians on every platform possible and amass a large following. Renounce politics and all politicians because they are the devil’s spawn. Make it clear that you’d rather sell your kidney than become one of them.

    2. When you’ve become a very well known activist and a voice of the people, use your popularity to collect political appointment from the same people you were criticising.

    After you collect your appointment jump through hoops to defend your appointees and blame everything on the previous government. Rain is falling too much? The previous government embezzled the money that was meant to pay rainmakers to hold the rain.

    3. Now, start making promises that you have no intention of ever keeping.

    You will give Nigerians 24/7 light and free WiFi. You will build 20 schools in one week. You will reduce the exchange rate to $1 to ₦1. With you, corruption shall go to an early grave.

    4. As you progress in your political career decide whether it’s broom or umbrella you want to be carrying.

    There are 68 political parties in Nigeria but you know the fastest way to get a post is to carry broom or umbrella.

    5. Next find yourself a godfather or godmother to sponsor your career.

    Image

    You think political campaigns are cheap? Better be ready to drop it down low so you can get sponsorship.

    6. Practice your fighting skills especially if you are gunning for a place in the National Assembly.

    Maybe ask Uncle Dino for some tips.

    7. You have to show Nigerians that you are one of them.

    You might be worth millions of (laundered) naira but that doesn’t mean you will stop taking okada or buying corn on the road like the average Nigerian.

    The script is to act like you feel their plight, so get in character and act like your life depends on it.

    8. As a politician you also need to get yourself security by whatever means.

    Hire cultists, militants or religious extremists. What’s your business if they end up becoming a terrorist group because you funded them.

    9. You have to get your wardrobe on check too. Get a tailor to sew plenty agbadas for you.

    Only make white. White is the colour of serious politicians.

    10. Once a year share bags of rice to a few people and take a thousand pictures.

    Bathroom slippers too isn’t a bad idea. Depends on the kind of message you intend to pass.

    Image

    Any time Nigerians accuse you of not doing your job publish the pictures online to show them that you are a very hardworking politician.

    Now that we’ve shown you the way go forth and flourish as the baby girl or baby boy politician we know you have the potential to be.

    Toketemu Ohwovoriole

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  • We were doing some research and to our surprise, APC and PDP are not the only registered political parties in Nigeria. According to INEC, there are actually 68 registered political parties! We are pretty sure you’ve never heard of these ones.

    All Blending Party (ABP)

    From the name, you’ll already know these ones came to play. What does All Blending Party mean?

    Abundant Nigeria Renewal Party (ANRP)

    Is this a political party logo or the logo for a Yahoo boy’s side hustle?

    All Democratic Peoples Movement (ADPM)

    I like how they’ve already packed themselves inside bus. They better keep driving until they reach Cotonou, because we don’t want them here.

    Citizens Popular Party (CPP)

    These ones had the liver to put ‘popular’ in their party’s name. Why tell such lies?

    Freedom and Justice Party (FJP)

    ‘Freedom and Justice’, as if any Nigerian politician knows the meaning of those words.

    Green Party of Nigeria (GPN)

    I like how there’s a hand telling us ‘your father’ in their logo. At least they are straightforward.

    Independent Democrats (ID)

    If we put all Nigerian politicians together in a room we are pretty sure none of them can spell ‘Independents’ or ‘Democrats’ but there is a political party called Independent Democrats?

    Justice Must Prevail Party (JMPP)

    Is there anywhere in this country that justice prevails?

    Masses Movement of Nigeria (MMN)

    These ones what to use ‘we the people, for the people’ to deceive us. Stay woke, they are all the same.

    National Conscience Party (NCP)

    I’m pretty sure we all know that if there’s one thing all Nigerian politicians lack, it’s conscience.

    New Generation Party of Nigeria (NGP)

    Just look at these wicked people that don’t want us to progress as a country. How can they use hand fan as their logo? So they are praying for us to never have light?

    National Rescue Movement (NRM)

    It took a bit to convince me this is a political party. What’s the bee doing there, please?

    Re-build Nigeria Party (RBNP)

    Please, there is nothing to rebuild we need to start from scratch. We have to lay foundation again.

    Socialist Party of Nigeria (SPN)

    So there are people who are socialists in this country?

    Young Progressive Party (YPP)

    So there is a Young Progressive Party in this country and Buhari is still president. Wawu.

    Toketemu Ohwovoriole

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  • Nigeria’s 2019 General elections are close, but what’s super close is the deadline to register to be eligible to vote.
    On the 6th of July 2018, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) said it’ll suspend the Continous Voter Registration (CVR) by 5pm, August 17. At the time of the announcement, the CVR was ending at 3pm, only on Mondays to Fridays. This timing clearly made it more difficult for working-class people to register.

    INEC listened to feedback, and later announced that from August 1st, CVR will happen till 5pm everyday of the week, including Saturdays and Sundays. Awesome.

    While this is great, it still doesn’t solve some fundamental problems with the process.

    We asked over 100 Nigerians currently living in at least 10 states in Nigeria, all scattered across every region. The problems appear to be the same.

    “I don’t even know where to register.”

    28.5% of the respondents say they don’t even know where to find registration centres in their area.
    This is despite the fact that tools already exist to make this process easier. INEC’s website has features like a PVC locator and a Voter Verification page. GoVote has a locator to help people find registration centres.
    We built GetYourPVC.com to help people walk through the entire registration process in 5 minutes.

    “Have you seen the queues?”

    “I’ve been there like 3 times,” Blessing said, “but every time I reach there at 6am, my number on the list will almost be at no. 200. I got tired and stopped going.”

    She’s not alone. Over 48% of the respondents say this is why they haven’t registered. The understaffed INEC centres take the hit, with officials transferring that frustration to people trying to register.
    “Someone came out and announced,” Bankole said, “We’re only registering 100 people today.” The crowd was way more.

    “They were collecting ₦2000 to register people.”

    That’s what Prince said. There have been allegations of INEC officials taking advantage of this overwhelming process, collecting bribes, and giving preferential treatment.

    But complaints like these, including the “they said the machines were bad” issues, only account for less than 3% of reasons people gave for not wanting to register.
    People we’ve spoken to have generally commended the INEC officials for sticking to their albeit cumbersome process, and refusing bribes.
    “In the INEC office I registered,” Samsideen said, “they were very strict and were sending away people wanting to break the process.”

    “What’s the point?”

    With almost a third of the people in the survey not believing in the electoral process, this might be an indication of a wider problem.

    Allegations of election malpractice from the 2015 general elections has bred mistrust. Reports of misconduct by INEC officials like this one in Taraba isn’t helping (INEC fixed this immediately). According to Taiwo Makanjuola, INEC’s Citizens Contact Center Manager, INEC has had a pretty good record in the past few years. “Since 2015, we’ve conducted elections in 182 constituencies, and only 2 have had issues at the Tribunal.” Apathy is not exactly a Nigerian problem. In the United States, almost half of eligible voters didn’t even show up in the 2016 elections Trump won.

    Updated poll numbers

    231,556,622 eligible voters 46.9% didn’t vote 25.6% voted for Clinton 25.5% voted for Trump 1.7% voted for Johnson — Josh Nelson (@soxmachine_josh) November 9, 2016 Bringing it back home, of the 67,422,005 registered voters, only 43.65% of them came through to vote in the 2015 elections.
    Even worse is the fact that the total votes cast in 2015 was about 10 million less than was cast in 2011. Still, Taiwo believes the turnout has been impressive. “Since April 27, 2017, when CVR started, about 11.4 million Nigerians have registered.” The inconveniences people are currently facing, he believes, is a consequence of the last minute rush. What this means, is that INEC didn’t properly prepare for this rush, inevitably cutting a significant amount of people off.

    This is just one poll.

    The observations on the other hand, are valid; a lot of people won’t be able to vote in February 2019, and it won’t be because they didn’t try.

    It’ll be because of the flaws that could have been avoided in a more efficient system.

    Have you registered?

    If you haven’t, visit getyourpvc.com and in 5 minutes, you’ll have a better understanding of what it is you need to do.

    Fu’ad Lawal

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  • Nigeria is a country blessed with an extraordinarily diverse set of people. Our politicians are a different breed of their own.

    Let’s talk about of the distinct types of politicians in Nigeria.

    The first type of politicians are the calm ones, believe it or not, some of them fall under this category.

    Whatever the situation, they remain calm.

    Then we have the CEOs of trouble making.

    From jumping fence to tearing cloth, these ones can scatter anywhere.

    You know those types of people who can lie their way out of every situation?

    No comment.

    There’s the special ones who have Ph.Ds in dancing.

    They play a very vital role in the Nigerian politics.

    Let’s not forget the ones who have refused to fully retire.

    Help us beg these baby boys o. It’s okay.

    This category is for the ones who grace us with their beautiful grammar once in a while.

    Higi Haga. Crinkum Crankum.

    The ones who are always in the news for one drama or the other.

    We know the people we’ll send to Big Brother next year.

    What of the ones that change party like SIM cards?

    Home is where the power is.

    There are the ones that are just doing House of Cards with Nigeria

    Will the real Frank Underwood please stand up?

    What about the ones who do everything but their job?

    Is that why we’re here?

    Is this list even complete without the Keyboard Warriors?

    Lion on the Internet, but meow-meow when it’s time to solve our problems.

    Finally, we have the ones who are ready to change Nigeria.

    We’re still waiting for the change sha.

    So if you’re tired of all this nonsense, perhaps the first step is to:

    Make your voice heard. Visit getyourpvc.com and learn how to register to get your PVC ASAP.

    What type of politician did we miss out on? Tell us in the comments below or tweet us @zikokomag!

    Eniola

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  • The General elections are coming in February 2019, but we know the only way to make our voices count, is to vote.

    And the only we way to vote is to get a Permanent Voter’s Card (PVC).

    We know how to get PVCs, but we thought, wouldn’t it be awesome to actually show everyone how our PVC experiences went?

    “Hey guys, if you don’t have a PVC, don’t come to the office. Register to get your PVCs, and work remotely.”

    That’s Tomiwa, our Captain and Chief Patriot. He already had his, so he just Situation Roomed us from the office. A bunch of people on the team were on the hustle; Bankole, Toketemu, Folarin, Sade, Lanre, Sudeen. So, how did the exercise go?

    Time: 8:36am

    Sudeen: “I’m at the INEC Office already. Got here before 8am sharp. My number is 96. This is Sudeen, reporting from INEC office in Iyana Ipaja, Lagos.” Sade: Jesus. I guess I’m screwed. Tomiwa Aladekomo: Content people, why is Sudeen, our Finance Manager outshining you in documentation of your experiences? Where’s everyone else? Still in bed? Toketemu: We’re on our way!

    What’s your struggle?

    Fu’ad: I registered in Rivers State in 2011 and I’m not sure if I threw away my TVC or lost it. Apparently, I need to go and print my INEC details online first. So I’m somewhere trying to get it printed now. And I’m in Surulere. Toketemu: Folarin and I are lost here. False stop. Fu’ad: Lmao. I was there about an hour ago. There’s a designated INEC LGA office. It’s in Small London. (You can check the INEC office address in your LGA here.)

    Time: 11.40am

    Toketemu: This is Toke reporting live from Small London. For the record, Folarin and I walked from Masha to Small London. True patriotism right here. Sade: Almost at Small London too. Tomiwa: How’s it going? Toketemu: There are about three lists and our names are on the third list but the officials are almost halfway through the first. The crowd doesn’t seem large, but apparently, there’s about 170 people on the lists. They’re on number 46 now. And they close at 3pm. (INEC announced new timelines for registration) Toketemu: Officers in uniform get preferential treatment. Ayoola: Elderly people too.

    Time: 12:10pm.

    Sudeen: It’s my turn now. I got my form now, about 4 hours later. Those of us with TVCs have different forms. They’ve been following the process since, not taking bribes. Fu’ad: The process is a little broken. There’s a Telemundo element to my situation. I have no TVC, but I have my Voter Identification Number. To get a new TVC, I have to go to the Local Government I registered, but then I want to transfer. And I need a TVC to transfer. So, I’m just going to go back to INEC and cry. Toketemu: Still here, waiting. They are still on the first list. This isn’t looking very likely. Sudeen: Hey Fu’ad, don’t worry, it’s easy. Just go to the INEC website. As long as you’ve registered before, all you need to find your V.I.N is the state where you registered and your Date of Birth. Tomiwa: I never changed my voting location, meaning that I spend every Election Day in the first place I registered, my parent’s. If there are easier locations to register in, might make sense to just hang with a friend or something on Election Day and use one of those. Lanre: My case seems slightly easy. Lost my PVC so I simply need to do a printout of my previous PVC registration. And then get a police report and affidavit. Bankole: Why is everyone in Lekki trying to register at the same goddamn place? Makes no sense. Lanre: It’s the only location in Eti-Osa Local Government.

    Time: 1:43pm

    Sudeen: I’m done. I managed to get my wife to come along. Another girl came here, she’ll be 18 next week. They told her to come back only after she’s clocked 18. She also has to come back with her birth certificate. Toketemu: It’s a bust here, told us to come back tomorrow morning the only chance you have is to come first thing in the morning. Then we thought if we got our names on the list today we’ll be attended to first in the morning but apparently, the rule here is new day new list. The process is way slower than I thought.

    Time: 2.29pm

    Fu’ad: Come back by the end of the year to get your PVC Bankole: Hustle Toketemu: Oh wow Tomiwa: Nice. Did they give you the TVC as well? Fu’ad: I have no need for it. My Voter information is online (without the photo). I printed it and gave them. This slip is all I need to show up with year-end to collect my PVC, according to the INEC official here. I noticed it’s a very “Internet-friendly” process here. People who are transferring and don’t need new TVCs can just go online. But then again, maybe that’s my INEC place. Bankole: THAT IS NOT WHAT HAPPENED AT MY PLACE. They acted like they were doing people a favour. I mean, these people were like “we’ll attend to only 100 people today” Fu’ad: Well, maybe that’s the number they might have the range for? I think it’s a general design problem with the process, and the people at the INEC office doing the registering are on the receiving end. I went in the morning and they were polite. I went in the afternoon, and they were cranky. Tomiwa: I’m surprised Internet Cafe businesses haven’t sprung up to help people with this. Guess people don’t want to pay money to vote. Bankole: They shouldn’t. And if you’re having obvious capacity problems, like only one registration point for a bigass LGA like Eti Osa, shouldn’t more be opened? Tomiwa: Sudeen and his family are the winners of today’s sprint. Where’s Pepo and Eniola though?

    Eniola:

    The most important hacks you need to know: Find the closest INEC office to you and go there early, before 8am preferably. Go with valid documents if need be, Most importantly, for a more detailed walkthrough, visit getyourpvc.com, and in 5 minutes, it’s totally okay if you call yourself a PVC expert.

    If you’ve already registered to get your PVC, tell us, how did your experience go?

    Zikoko Fam

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  • Everyone knows literally everything that has to do with registration is an extreme sport in this country.

    If you don’t agree, you’re not Nigerian.

    For the first time in forever, Nigeria has made this one thing rather easy for us.

    See it’s very okay to still be in doubt

    Seriously, we all need to save this country and it’s easier now that getting your PVC is like ABC.

    Pay attention

    Note: if you have a valid voter’s registration from 2011, lucky you! you’re only reading this for one reason.

    To let your friend’s know how easy it is.

    This is your opportunity to take a day off work, because your right to vote is important.

    Do I have your attention now?

    Any time between 9am and 3pm from Monday to Friday is great. They’re not open on public holidays though.

    See why you need that day off work? Your Oga has to understand.

    You should carry your International passport or Birth Certificate or Driver’s licence.

    In short just show them everything so they’d know you’re a real life person

    Go to your nearest INEC registration centre, or go to your local government area, they will definitely have one.

    Or you can stand on the road and say “excuse me ma, I’m looking for INEC”

    Once you’re done, you’d get a TVC (Temporary Voter’s Card) slip. Don’t get it missing, you need it to get your PVC later.

    That paper must not get lost oh.

    You can try to ask the INEC person attending to you when your PVC will be ready.

    “Sorry sir, when should I come back for my PVC?” They better know o.

    Finally, Wait and pray, it could take a while.

    But just like 6 months, nothing serious. At least you’ve done your part.

    We made an even simpler and detailed guide here:

    Just visit GetYourPVC.com.  Don’t forget to share!

    Eniola

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