As the collection of Permanent Voter’s Cards (PVCs) in preparation for the 2023 general elections, as directed by the Independent National Electoral Commission INEC officially begins nationwide, Law Students of the Imo State University (IMSU), Owerri, yesterday began a campaign that is aimed at sensitizing members of the academic community on the need to ensure that they collect theirs.
The students, as early as 8am yesterday, were seen standing in their numbers in front of the Faculty of Law Theater, carrying banners on which were boldly inscribed ‘’Collect Your PVCs’’.
A former President of Law student Assocation, LAWSA, IMSU Chapter, Comrade Ifeanyichukwu George Mezu while addressing this reporter on the essence of the campaign said, ‘’we are basically sensitizing the youths on the need to collect and equip themselves with their PVC to enable them participate in electing those who would run the affairs the country, come 2023.
Mezu, a former Editor-in-Chief of LAWSA editorial board said, it is very necessary for students and youths generally to participate actively in the choice of candidates for the various elective positions stressing that, it would no longer be business as usual , a situation that according to him is responsible for the continued stagnation of the country in all ramifications.
‘’In the next 8-10 years most of us who are currently pursuing different academic programs would be actively involved in politics at various levels. It is therefore necessary that we sensitize youths on the need to shun all kinds of apathy, collect our PVCs and vote only for credible and honest persons who would fulfill their electoral promises and not those who will go for peanuts at the people’s expense’’.
‘’There is need for the youths to collect their PVCs which is weapon with which they will elect credible, focused and result-oriented leaders who would initiate and implement policies that would enhance their future rather than jeopardizing it as is currently obtainable.
“Every youth knows what he or she wants or expects from government at all levels. They should therefore assess the candidates based on their antecedents and track records with a view to voting for those who would deliver in line with their expectations and not those who have neither conscience, nor the capacity to deliver or make good their promises’’.
Responding to a question about this year’s international Human right day and how issues that border on the violation of human rights can be addressed, Mezu said, ‘’human rights as a concept is universal irrespective of State. but the means of achieving it is based on the state apparatus. It is difficult to address issue about violation of human rights if those at the corridors of power do not have regard for justice and fairness. Though, I understand why they are not justiceable, but if we, as a group set agenda and map out how to achieve it, we will make headway. However if we remain dormant without doing anything, we will be stagnated in the menace’’.
