Continuous Voter Registration, Phase ii: Ekong Sampson charges stakeholders on mobilization of their locals

As the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) resumes Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) fora 2nd quarter, stakeholders in the Akwa Ibom polity have been urged to explore avenues to ensure optimum participation of their communities in the enfranchisement exercise, as well as the ongoing enrolment for National Identity Card.

Special Adviser to the Governor on Political, Legislative Affairs and Water Resources, Rt. Hon. (Barr.) Ekong Sampson made the appeal during an on-the-spot assessment of response of the citizenry to the Continuous Voter Registration (CVR)and National Identity enrolment exercises in Ibiono Ibom LGA, Akwa Ibom State.

The Special AdvisersaidHis Excellency, Governor Udom Emmanuel remains fully committed to ensuring optimum success of the two exercises in the State. The visit therefore, he added,was in furtherance of his Bureau’s campaign to intensify sensitization and mobilization towards increased participation in the exercises. 

Barrister Ekong Sampson, restating his Bureau’s commitmentto sustaining the tempo and even improving upon the level of response attained in the 1st quarter of the CVR, charged stakeholders in various communities in the state to rise to the challenge of ensuring optimum participation of their locals in this 2nd phase of the exercise.

In his words, “It’s important that we get people to come out to register and get their voters’ cards”, Barrister Sampson said, reiterating that anyone without a voter’s card is politically impotent.

Ekong Sampson said “Ibiono Ibom is a very large LGA in the State and is a critical component of what we are doing, so we are here to see for ourselvesand gauge theextent of response the exercise”. He lauded the improved turnout in Ibionowhich, according to him, had a fairly good output in the 1stquarter and stressed the need for more intensive sensitization and mobilization; by reaching out to people in markets churches, schools and so on, not only in Ibiono, but all LGAs in the State.

Pertaining citizens enrolment in the National Identity Scheme, the Special Adviser lamented the high degree of ignorance among Nigerians. He said most Nigerians are still living blind, as they have not yet realized the need to be captured in the nation’s database and the assigned a National Identification Number (NIN) or card.

However, in his remark, Barrister Sampson expressed his approval over the improved response of Akwa Ibom people to the exercise. Judging by experience gathered in his awareness campaign tour, he described the situation in the Stateas a departure from the larger problem of apathy, though more still needs to be done.

The Special Adviser on behalf of his Bureau, donated publicity materials to further deepen sensitizationand awareness on both the Continuous Voter Registration and National ID Card enrolment programmes, as well as a portable power generating set, to boost the NIMC mobile (enrolment) unit strategy in Ibiono Ibom LGA.

The Transition Chairman of Ibiono Ibom LGA, Mr. Samuel Ekah, affirmed that the sensitization so far done in the area has yielded results, as responses towards the two exercises have greatly improved. The Ekah acknowledged the contributions of the Hon. Commissioner for Environment to ensure the success of the exercise in the area. He also commended the Special Adviser for the support of his Bureau towards the success of the exercise in Ibiono and thanked him for the Items donated, promising that no efforts will be spared in ensuring the best results in Ibiono Ibom LGA.