Displaced persons in FCT disenfranchised
Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) alleged that they were disenfranchised and that the development shows that government does not care about their plight. The displaced persons from crisis-prone areas in the North-east residing at various places in the FCT said the government has been insensitive to their demands, describing […]
Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) alleged that they were disenfranchised and that the development shows that government does not care about their plight.
The displaced persons from crisis-prone areas in the North-east residing at various places in the FCT said the government has been insensitive to their demands, describing their inability to vote as the height of government’s neglect.
At the camps in Waru and Kuchingoro, Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC), Daily Trust did not see any polling unit. Philemon Bala, chairman of displaced persons at Kuchingoro camp said most of the displaced persons do not have Permanent Voters Card (PVC), while others lost theirs during the crisis.
“Election no concern us,” he said in Pidgin English, adding that the government can do nothing for displaced persons in the territory’’, he said.
Bitrus Duwara, another IDP from Gwoza, Borno State, said he has PVC but cannot vote as there is not provision for it.
He said he had his PVC posted to him from Gwoza, because he would be able to vote and have a say in governance.
“I feel bad; we are been treated as if we are not Nigerians,” said James Haruna another IDP from Gwoza at the camp.
At the Waru camp, chairman of the IDPs, Paul Amos said over 90 per cent of the IDPs in the territory was disenfranchised.