How important is our PVC?

The PVC stands as the only available mode of identification for every Nigerian to exercise his constitutional rights to vote and to be voted for.   That’s the reason behind the recent campaign going on in almost every nook and cranny of Nigeria calling on people to go out and register.  Unarguably, politics has become part […]

The PVC stands as the only available mode of identification for every Nigerian to exercise his constitutional rights to vote and to be voted for. 

 That’s the reason behind the recent campaign going on in almost every nook and cranny of Nigeria calling on people to go out and register. 

Unarguably, politics has become part of us, and whether fully or partially, one must partake in political activities because of its impact and influence on every human being on earth.  

Besides, refusing to vote is one sure way of giving the opportunity to insincere politicians to take over the mantle of leadership. This culture of political apathy has been threatening our fragile democracy, which as a result, has become a stumbling block to the socio-economic and political development of the nation. 

It is a necessity that every citizen owns a permanent voter’s card not only for its purpose but also for the relevance it adds to you as a citizen in your country. 

Though the law does not force citizens to vote, voting is very important for any democratic nation. By voting, you as a citizen is participating in the democratic process, you are playing your role in deciding the fate of our country’s economy, security and politics, among others. 

The current social, economic and political challenges bedeviling the country are indeed a result of poor governance and the only possible way to change a particular administration to another is through voting during an election. Therefore, we must vote if the spirit of patriotism in us is still effective. 

Nigeria as a sovereign nation will prosper only when we participate actively in elections. It gives us a chance to elect people with track records, capacity to deliver, and those that will lead us with utmost patience and a high sense of responsibility irrespective of religion, tribe or political inclination. 

 Above all, it’s pertinent for every patriotic individual to have his or her PVC ready to cast out insincere politicians from our public offices. Also, clerics, traditional rulers and major stakeholders in the country should continue to mobilise people on the importance of having their PVC and the grave consequences of not having it. 

 

Faith Evans Enenche, Department of Mass Communication, University of Maiduguri.