By Tosin Adesile
From January 30, 2023, the Independent National Electoral Commission, (INEC) has extended the collection of PVC to Fenruary 5, 2023. The news was to serve as a relief to those who have been unable to collect it. Despite the open window,Nigerians deserted the INEC Office on Sunday when Sparklight News visited their office in Oke,-ilewo,Abeokuta,Ogun State.
The reason for this action is not far fetched from the Federal Government policy on changing of Old Naira notes of N1000, N500 and N200 notes to new ones as it will no longer be accepted as legal tender in Nigeria in Nigeria from 31st Of Janaury, 2023.
Nigerians took the information serious and all the Bank ATM visited by our correspondents particularly Guaranty Trust Bank and Sterling Bank was filled to the brim. Yet,all the cash paid out by POS holders in Abeokuta remained the Old Naira note.
Our reporter who went round abeokuta noticed that Government used the lingering fuel scarcity and Conversion of Old Naira Notes to new ones as a distraction which made people desert the INEC office.
However,it is just 3 Weeks to Election and many people are yet to collect their PVC. Nigerians rather had their Sunday Service at filling Station and at Bank ATM centres.
Our correspondent who visited GTB bank in Aboekuta in Ogun State State, to withdraw some new notes, but he couldn’t. The queue was too long.
Many residents complained about Government inhumane behaviour ahead of election.
Few people who came to collect PVC said they are determined to end the bad governance in Nigeria.
George, an Abeokuta resident, who spoke to our correspondent in Abeokuta said he is very happy to collect his PVC. Another person who spoke to Sparklight News is Chinedu who said he is disappointed that since 2017 he captured for PVC,he has not being able to get it. They still could not see it,he said.
One of the Staff of INEC in Abeokuta who asked to remain anonymous due to the nature of their job said they experience a low turn out today despite the heavy manpower available to answer people.
He said he is however sure that the open window given till february 5 will enable more people to collect their PVC.
Other INEC offices in Ogun State also witnessed low turn out .
In another development, Governor of Central Bank,Godwin Emefiele announced that looking at volume of customers in banks,it is right that CBN extend the deadline from 31st Janaury to February 10.
He however enjoined Nigerians to take advantage of the window and pay in the old cash in their custody.