Jutha Gupah, Damaturu
The Yobe State council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) has called on eligible voters to collect their Permanent Voters’ Cards (PVCs) for the forthcoming general elections.
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has registered 1.3 million eligible voters in the state, while over 78, 000 eligible voters are yet to collect their PVCs as in December last year.
The call was made, yesterday (Wednesday), in Damaturu, in a communique after the NUJ congress issued and signed by the Council Chairman and Secretary, Rajab Mohammed and Alhassan Mamudo.
“The Congress on January 17, 2023 in Damaturu; appealed to eligible voters to collect their PVCs to exercise their franchise during the forthcoming general elections in the state,” said the communique.
Mohammed in the communique said that; “The Congress has equally appealed to the entire working journalists in the state to remain apolitical.
“We should observe the principles of objectivity, balance and fairness in the course of discharging our constitutional responsibilities during and after the 2023 elections.”
He also stressed the need for politicians in the state to concentrate on the issue-based electioneering campaigns across the state.
“All the candidates for the elective positions across the state; are to play the game of politics according to the rules and 2022 Electoral Act,” he said.
He noted that this could prevent the over-heat of the nation’s polity for a hitch free general elections in the state.
During the Congress meeting; five delegates were nominated to represent the Council at the Special Delegates’ Conference (SDC) at Kano on January 24 to 27, 2023.
He said that the congress has slated March 2023, as the deadline for the revalidation of membership Identification Cards (IDs).
Members of the Council were also reminded at the congress meeting to pay their annual check dues unfailingly.
According to the communique, the Congress acknowledged the withdrawal of the Jakadiya Chapel from the State council.
“It’s withdrawal from the Council was necessitated by the chapel’s inability to meet up with the constitutional requirements of the Union,” said Mohammed.
The Congress also constituted a 15-member Media Games Committee (MGC) led by Ahmed Kagana Amshi of the Sports Writers Association in Nigeria (SWAN) to plan for this year’s edition.
